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3 Lowest Totals In T20 World Cup Knockout Matches

AFG bundled out for 56 [AP] AFG bundled out for 56 [AP]

In major ICC events like the T20 World Cup, there's immense pressure on teams and players to perform well. With the sport's most coveted prizes on the line, everyone remains keen to contribute to their team's success. To win the trophy, teams must advance through the knockouts - the semi-finals and finals. 

As these crucial matches approach, the pressure intensifies, and it's not uncommon for teams to crumble, resulting in low scores during crunch games. These matches highlight the immense pressures of competing at the highest level, where even the best players can struggle against any bowling attack. 

Let’s take a look at the three lowest totals recorded in T20 World Cup knockout stages.

3 Lowest Totals In T20 World Cup Knockout Matches

101 (West Indies v Sri Lanka, 2009 semi-final)

In the ICC World T20 2009 semi-final, Sri Lanka needed a solid total, and Dilshan ensured they got it. He started attacking from the first over, scoring an impressive 96 runs off just 57 balls, hitting 12 fours and 2 sixes, despite the challenging batting conditions. This majestic knock propelled Sri Lanka to a total of 158.

Chasing 159, the West Indies' innings was quickly dismantled by Angelo Mathews, who took 3 wickets for 16 runs in his first six balls. Skipper Chris Gayle remained unbeaten on 63 off 50 balls, becoming the first batter in T20I history to carry his bat through a completed innings. However, Gayle was the only West Indian to reach double figures as Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis helped SL bowl WI out for 101.

101 (Sri Lanka vs West Indies, 2012 final)

Three years later, the West Indies exacted their revenge by bowling out Sri Lanka for the same score on a slow, turning pitch in the final.

Chasing 138, Sri Lanka struggled from the outset. Ravi Rampaul dismissed Tillakaratne Dilshan for a duck, putting immediate pressure on the Lankans. Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara tried to stabilize the innings, but the required run rate kept climbing. Samuel Badree took the crucial wicket of Sangakkara, further hampering Sri Lanka's chase.

Sunil Narine and Daren Sammy then took charge, effectively stifling the Sri Lankan batting lineup and eventually bowling them out for just 101.

56 (Afghanistan vs South Africa, 2024 semi-final)

AFG were bundled out for 56 Vs SA [AP] AFG were bundled out for 56 Vs SA [AP]

Playing the semi-final for the first time, Afghanistan decided to bat first on a pitch that was uneven and favoured the seamers. Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada ran through the Afghan top-order, reducing them to 23/5 during the Powerplay.

Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi then took over, cleaning up the tail as Afghanistan collapsed for just 56 runs within 12 overs. This total is the lowest ever recorded in a T20 World Cup semi-final and the second-lowest by a full-member team in T20 World Cup history.

In response, South Africa faced some challenges due to the variable bounce, but Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram managed to chase down the target in 8.5 overs, leading their team to the final of an ICC event for the first time.