Low-scoring thrillers and batting collapses have been aplenty in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, with the best bowling attacks tearing through opposition line-ups. In fact, the five lowest innings totals in the tournament's history are all by Asian teams – Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh’s record-low 46 against the West Indies in 2018 and the scores of below 60 by Pakistan and Sri Lanka show the extreme pressures of the world stage and how quickly a T20 innings can unravel.
Let us have a look at the top five lowest scores in T20 World Cups.
Bangladesh - 46 vs. West Indies (2018)
The 2018 Women’s World Cup clash between Bangladesh and West Indies could not have come at a worse time for the former as they registered the lowest total in the tournament’s history. Bangladesh had bowled extremely well, restricting West Indies to just 106 in their 20 overs but their batters let them down. Bangladesh were bowled out for just 46, the lowest score in the tournament’s history. Deandra Dottin was the chief destroyer as she picked up five wickets for just five runs in her 3.4 overs.
Pakistan - 56 vs. New Zealand (2024)
The White Ferns breathed fire with the ball against Pakistan in a group stage encounter against Pakistan in the 2024 edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Pakistan did relatively well to restrict the Kiwis to just 110 in their 20 overs but the target proved to be a little too high for Pakistan. They were bowled out for just 56 in just 11.4 overs. All the bowlers who bowled for the Kiwis, entered the wickets column with Amelia Kerr picking up three wickets.
Bangladesh - 58/9 vs. England (2014)
Bangladesh’s batting has always been under the scanner in the Women’s T20 World Cup and here is another example. England did a decent job in their first innings with the bat, scoring 137 for 5 in their 20 overs. Charlotte Edwards was the star of the show, scoring 80 in 69 balls and then their bowlers entered the fray in the second innings. Danielle Hazell took 3 wickets for 4 four runs in her four overs while Nat Sciver also took three as they kept Bangladesh to 58 for 9 in their 20 overs. It is the third lowest score in Women’s T20 World Cup history so far.
Pakistan - 60 vs. England (2009)
Here is another Asian team in the list of the lowest totals in the Women’s T20 World Cup. Pakistan were up against England in 2009 and it turned out to be a disaster. England scored 123 in their 20 overs and it did not look enough but the bowlers made life tough for Pakistan. Holly Colvin took three wickets, while Laura Marsh, Charlotte Edwards and Jenny Gunn took two each to bowl out Pakistan for just 60, which was the lowest score in T20 World Cups at that time.
Sri Lanka - 60 vs. New Zealand (2023)
New Zealand bowlers ran riot against Sri Lanka in the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup. After scoring 162 in their 20 overs, courtesy of Suzie Bates’s 56 and Amelia Kerr’s 66, they demolished the Lankans as they bowled them out for just 60. Every Kiwi bowler got into the wickets column, with Lea Tahuhu picking up two wickets.
