T20 international cricket is universally celebrated for massive sixes, blistering centuries, and aggressive strokeplay. However, this fast-paced format also has a stark and astonishing side where well-prepared teams struggled merely to survive at the crease rather than score runs. The history of T20 internationals features several encounters where batting failures stunned cricket fans and entire lineups crumbled like houses of cards.
The unwanted record for the lowest total ever recorded in T20 internationals belongs to Ivory Coast. During a match played against Nigeria in Abuja on November 24, 2024, the batting performance of the Ivory Coast squad proved thoroughly dismal. Chasing a target in the second innings, the entire side was bundled out in just 7.3 overs, managing a mere 7 runs on the scoreboard. With a meager run rate of 0.93, this effort established the lowest total in T20 international history as the team failed even to reach double digits.
The second-lowest total in the format is shared by two distinct teams, namely Mongolia and the Isle of Man. While batting first against Singapore in Bangui on September 5, 2024, the Mongolian team looked completely helpless against disciplined bowling. The entire side could manage only 10 runs in 10 overs, resulting in an exact run rate of 1.00 for the innings.
A remarkably similar collapse occurred in Cartagena, Spain, on February 26, 2023, when the Isle of Man faced the host nation. Sent in to bat first, the Isle of Man batsmen failed to counter the sharp Spanish bowling attack. The entire team returned to the pavilion in 8.4 overs with just 10 runs on the board. Operating at a run rate of 1.15, that modest target was chased down effortlessly by Spain to secure a victory.
Mongolia's journey in international cricket has been exceptionally challenging, earning the team a second appearance on this low-scoring leaderboard. In a match against Japan in Sao on May 8, 2024, the Mongolian side was skittled for just 12 runs in the second innings. Lasting 8.2 overs, the innings progressed at a run rate of 1.44 as Japan comfortably claimed a one-sided win.
Ivory Coast makes another appearance in this unwanted chapter of T20 history following another poor batting display. Facing Rwanda at the Oval 1 ground in Gaborone on May 24, 2026, the Ivory Coast batsmen struggled intensely for every single run during their run chase. After a prolonged battle lasting 15.2 overs, the entire side mustered only 17 runs at a sluggish run rate of 1.10, allowing Rwanda to secure an easy win.
