Lowest Score: T20 cricket, the shortest and most unpredictable format of the game, often brings about exciting and dramatic moments. While Pakistan is known for its exceptional talent and resilience in the T20 format, they have also had their fair share of struggles. One of the more humbling episodes in Pakistan’s T20 cricket history occurred when they were dismissed for their lowest-ever total in a T20 international match.
In this article, we will analyze the lowest score in T20 history for Pakistan, looking at the context of the match, the key players involved, and the factors contributing to this dismal performance.
1. The Match: Pakistan’s Lowest T20 Score
The lowest score in Pakistan’s T20 history came against West Indies on April 1, 2017, during the ICC World T20 tournament. The match took place in Kolkata, India, at the Eden Gardens. This was a Group 1 match in the Super 10 stage of the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup.
- Date: April 1, 2017
- Opponents: West Indies
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India
- Total Runs Scored by Pakistan: 82 all out (18.4 overs)
- Result: West Indies won by 84 runs
Pakistan’s 82 all out was not just their lowest total in T20 internationals but also one of the most humiliating losses in the country’s T20 history. The West Indies bowled out Pakistan for a mere 82 runs in 18.4 overs, chasing down the target of 167 runs with ease.
2. Breakdown of Pakistan’s Innings
The Pakistani batsmen were completely outplayed by the West Indies bowlers, who were ruthless in restricting them to such a low total. Pakistan’s batting lineup, which featured several established names, crumbled under pressure. Let’s break down the individual scores of the Pakistani batsmen in this match:
Batsman | Runs Scored | Balls Faced | Fours | Sixes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sharjeel Khan | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Sarfraz Ahmed (wk) | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
Mohammad Hafeez | 6 | 13 | 1 | 0 |
Shoaib Malik | 18 | 20 | 2 | 0 |
Imad Wasim | 10 | 14 | 1 | 0 |
Wahab Riaz | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
Muhammad Nawaz | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Shadab Khan | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Hasan Ali | 9 | 13 | 1 | 0 |
Mohammad Amir | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
Rumman Raees | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
3. Key Moments That Led to Pakistan’s Lowest Score
Several key factors contributed to Pakistan’s embarrassing collapse on this occasion. These included poor batting technique, lack of partnerships, and the brilliance of the West Indies bowlers.
1. Early Collapse of the Top Order
Pakistan’s innings suffered a major blow right at the start. Sharjeel Khan was dismissed for a duck on the first ball, followed by the wicket of Sarfraz Ahmed (10) and Mohammad Hafeez (6). The top order failed to provide a solid foundation, leaving Pakistan struggling early on in the chase. The pressure of chasing down 167 runs in a World Cup match was mounting, and the batsmen couldn’t cope with it.
2. West Indies’ Dominant Bowling Performance
The West Indies bowlers, led by Suleiman Benn, Andre Russell, and Samuel Badree, were exceptional on the day. They didn’t give any room to the Pakistani batsmen, exploiting the conditions and restricting Pakistan to minimal runs. Badree, in particular, was outstanding, taking 3 wickets for just 19 runs in his 4 overs, and playing a pivotal role in dismantling Pakistan’s batting lineup.
3. The Middle and Lower Order Collapse
Even though Shoaib Malik (18) and Imad Wasim (10) tried to stabilise the innings for a brief period, they were unable to form any substantial partnerships. The middle and lower order collapsed quickly, with Wahab Riaz, Muhammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Amir failing to make an impact. The West Indies bowlers kept taking wickets at regular intervals, further piling the pressure on Pakistan.
4. Pressure of a Big Tournament
The ICC T20 World Cup is one of the most high-pressure tournaments in cricket, and playing against a strong West Indies team only added to the tension. The Pakistani players might have felt the pressure of representing their country on such a big stage, which might have contributed to their inability to execute their game plans properly.
4. The West Indies’ Dominance
The West Indies won the match by a huge margin, with a margin of 84 runs, chasing down the target of 167 comfortably. The victory was set up by their dominant batting performance earlier in the match and the complete dismantling of Pakistan’s batting lineup.
- West Indies’ Total: 166/6 (20 overs)
- Pakistan’s Total: 82 all out (18.4 overs)
Key Performances for West Indies
- Andre Russell: 4 overs, 19 runs, 2 wickets
- Samuel Badree: 4 overs, 19 runs, 3 wickets
- Chris Gayle: 37 runs from 39 balls (Top scorer for West Indies)
- Dwayne Bravo: 2 wickets for 11 runs in 3 overs
5. Pakistan’s Lowest T20 Scores: A Historical Context
Pakistan has had its ups and downs in T20 cricket, but this match against West Indies is by far their worst-ever performance in the format. It stands as a reminder of how fragile T20 cricket can be, with even the best teams prone to collapses on any given day. Below is a table of Pakistan’s lowest-ever scores in T20 internationals:
Rank | Score | Opponent | Date | Venue |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 82 all out | West Indies | April 1, 2017 | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
2 | 104 all out | Sri Lanka | May 1, 2009 | The Wanderers, Johannesburg |
3 | 115 all out | Australia | February 25, 2016 | Dubai International Stadium |
4 | 118 all out | South Africa | March 21, 2013 | Newlands, Cape Town |
5 | 130/9 | New Zealand | December 18, 2018 | Dubai International Stadium |
6. Factors That Led to Pakistan’s Lowest Score
Several factors contributed to Pakistan’s low total of 82 runs against West Indies. Some of the primary reasons include:
1. Poor Batting Technique
Many of the Pakistani batsmen struggled against the West Indies bowlers’ discipline and skill. They were unable to adjust to the conditions, and several batsmen failed to play proper cricketing shots, resulting in soft dismissals.
2. Pressure of Big-Stage Performance
The ICC T20 World Cup is the stage where cricketers face immense pressure, and Pakistan’s batsmen were unable to handle the pressure in this match. With a large crowd and the weight of national expectations, the batsmen found it difficult to execute their plans.
3. Dominance of West Indies Bowlers
West Indies bowlers were exceptional on the day. They bowled in the right areas, maintained tight lines, and took crucial wickets at regular intervals, which left Pakistan with no chance of making a recovery.
4. Lack of Partnerships
The Pakistani batsmen were unable to form any meaningful partnerships. The inability to build partnerships is often one of the main reasons behind a low total in T20 cricket. The collapse was a collective failure from the top to the lower order.
7. Conclusion
Pakistan’s total of 82 all out against West Indies in the 2017 ICC World T20 remains their lowest-ever score in the T20 format, marking one of the darkest days in their T20 cricket history. While the team has since bounced back with better performances, this loss serves as a reminder of the volatility and unpredictability of T20 cricket. It also highlights the importance of key partnerships, handling pressure, and the ability to adapt to conditions and opposition strengths.
Though this defeat remains painful, Pakistan’s resilience and ability to bounce back are notable. They have since regained their stature in T20 cricket and continue to be one of the most dangerous sides in the format.