Most Wins By Teams While Chasing In T20 Internationals

It is safe to say that T20 cricket, today, has made a special place in the hearts of cricket fans across the globe. T20 cricket format has perhaps changed the way cricket had been played, over the years. One could see the batsmen playing with more intent and bowlers adding more variations to their armory in T20 internationals.

Notching over 200 runs in a single inning of 20 overs isn’t big deal anymore. In the last decade or so, we have seen some huge totals being posted in the shortest version of the game. However, when it comes to chasing them, teams have struggled a bit and the numbers also justify that.

There aren’t a lot of teams who have had great success while chasing in T20 cricket. And, on that note, here’s a look at most wins by top 14 teams while chasing in T20 internationals:

Most Wins By Teams While Chasing In T20 Internationals

Zimbabwe: 8 out of 45 matches

Zimbabwe played their first-ever T20 international in 2006 and since then they have managed to play 88 games. Out of those, Zimbabwe won 20 matches and lost 66.

Among the top 14 teams, Zimbabwe have won the least number of matches while chasing in T20 internationals. Zimbabwe have batted second in 45 T20 internationals to date. Of those, they have only managed to win 8 times.

At the time of writing, they are ranked 11^th in the ICC T20 rankings with 193 points to their name.

Scotland: 15 out of 36 matches

Scotland became the associate member of the International Cricket Council in 1994. So far, they have managed to appear in three T20 World Cups in 2007, 2009 and 2016. The upcoming T20 World Cup in 2021 would be their fourth. Scotland have played 65 T20 internationals thus far, resulting in 29 wins and 32 losses.

Out of the total number of games, Scotland batted second in 36 matches. They have managed to chase down the targets on 15 occasions.

Bangladesh: 20 out of 60 matches

Gone are the days when Bangladesh was treated as a weak team. They are no longer counted among the weakest teams in cricket. They have recently registered their first-ever T20 series win against Australia, winning by a margin of 4-1. However, they haven’t been the best in the shortest format as far as their overall performance is concerned. Out of 105 T20 internationals, they have managed to win 37 matches and lost 66 games.

Whenever they have been asked to chase the total, they haven’t quite performed to their best. Bangladesh have played 60 games while batting second and managed to win only on 20 occasions.

Afghanistan: 22 out of 34 matches

Afghanistan are of the most developing cricket playing nations. Their growth, however, might stutter with the Taliban taking control over the nation.

Afghanistan have produced some top-notch spinners in recent times. In the next half-a-decade, they are likely to give a strong competition to the top cricket-playing nation. Afghanistan have batted second in 34 matches thus far, winning on 22 occasions. Overall, they have appeared in 84 T20 internationals, resulting in 58 wins and 25 defeats.

Ireland: 22 out of 56 matches

At number 10^th in the list is Ireland. Till now Ireland have played 101 T20 internationals, out of which 41 games resulted in wins, while 51 resulted in defeats. They have played the most number of T20 internationals against Afghanistan. In 18 games played between the sides, Ireland have managed to win on 3 occasions.

Ireland have batted second in 56 T20 international matches. Of those, they have chased down the totals on 22 occasions.

Netherlands: 23 out of 37 matches

Being an associate cricket-playing nation, Netherlands doesn’t play a lot of cricket on the international stage. Their record while chasing, however, is praiseworthy. In 37 matches that they have batted second, they have managed to chase on 23 occasions.

Netherlands are currently ranked 17^th in the ICC T20 rankings. They have qualified for the upcoming T20 World Cup and would be keen to put on a strong showing in the perennial tournament.

Sri Lanka: 28 out of 64 games

Sri Lanka have a forgettable record while chasing totals in T20 internationals. They have batted second in 64 games and have managed to win only on 28 occasions. Sri Lanka’s performances in international cricket have been on a decline since their star players left the game to the younger generation.

They haven’t been able to produce a lot of quality players. Sri Lanka are currently ranked 8^th in the ICC T20 rankings. They, however, would be overjoyed after winning their last T20 international series against India by 2-1.

New Zealand: 29 out of 70 matches

Amongst the top cricket playing nation, New Zealand have one of the worst records while chasing targets. They have batted second in 70 matches, winning only on 29 occasions. Overall, they have played 145 matches, resulting in 71 wins, 62 losses, and 8 ties.

New Zealand are one of the most consistent teams in world cricket. Though, they are yet to lift an ICC T20 World Cup title. After winning the ICC World Test Championship title recently, they would be eying to bag another ICC title this year ahead of the T20 World Cup.

 South Africa: 30 out of 55 matches

South Africa have been one of the strongest outfits in international cricket over the last two decades. They have a win percentage of 56.88 in T20 internationals, having won 78 out of 139 matches. South Africa, over the years, have posted some huge totals in the shortest format. However, after the departure of some of their iconic players, their current unit doesn’t appeal too much to the cricket audience.

South Africa have a decent record while chasing the targets. In 55 matches that they have batted second, they have managed to win on 30 occasions.

West Indies: 31 out of 78 matches

West Indies are going into the T20 World Cup as one of the favorites to lift the titles. They have often shown in the past that why they are a hard nut to crack when it comes to T20 cricket. All the batsmen from the top to the number seven have the got ability to hit sixes at will and this is what gives them the edge over other teams. However, their past results have shown that they often succumb when they are asked to chase the targets.

West Indies have played 78 T20 internationals when they have batted second. Of those, they have managed to win the game only on 31 occasions. Overall, they have appeared in 144 T20 internationals, resulting in 62 wins and 70 losses. West Indies are currently the defending champions in T20 internationals and would be keen to win the 2021 edition, scheduled to be held in UAE and Oman.

England: 39 out of 76 matches 

England is counted amongst one of the best teams in the shortest format. They have got a great bunch of players on their side who are suited to play T20 cricket. Their approach in T20 cricket sets them apart from the majority of other teams. They have got some quality power-hitters in their side and their depth in the reserves speaks for itself.

Having said that, they haven’t been great at chasing totals and the records justify that. In T20 internationals, England have been asked to chase in 76 matches.

Of those, they have managed to reach home only on 39 occasions and thus sits at fourth in the list. Overall, England have played 137 T20 internationals and they have managed to win on 73 occasions. 59 games resulted in defeats, while 5 games had no result.

Australia: 43 out of 83 matches

Gone are the days when Australia used to be considered a force to be reckoned with in international cricket. Australia have an underwhelming record in the T20s as compared to the other two formats. They are currently ranked number 6 in the ICC T20 international rankings. Australia, are, in fact, yet to lift an ICC T20 World Cup trophy.

Australia are going into the T20 World Cup on the back of five consecutive T20 bilateral series defeats. Australia, currently, lacks depth in their batting line-up in the T20s. However, overall, they have been one of the better sides. They have played 146 T20 internationals, winning 73 games and losing 68.

They have the third-most number of wins by any team while chasing in T20 internationals. Out of 83 games that they have batted second, they have managed to win on 43 occasions.

Pakistan: 46 out of 83 matches

Pakistan have been one of the better performing teams in T20 cricket, over the years. They reached the final of the 2007 T20 World Cup and emerged as the champions in the 2009 edition. Between 2016 and 2018, Pakistan played 11 T20 series and won all of them.

Currently, they are ranked at number four in the ICC T20 rankings. Pakistan have won their last 4 four out of 5 T20 international series. They have a pretty good record while chasing totals in T20 internationals. Pakistan have in fact secured the second most number of chases in T20 internationals, winning 46 matches out of 83.

Their highest successful run-chase came against Pakistan in 2021. In the third T20 international, South Africa notched 203 runs in the first innings. Pakistan, in reply, chased it down in just 18 overs. Babar Azam played a gem of an innings, scoring 122 runs off 59 balls, including 15 fours and 4 sixes.

India: 47 out of 68 matches

India sits at the top of the list with the most number of chases in T20 internationals in world cricket. The Men in Blue have a penchant for chasing totals in the shortest format of the game. The Indian team have had some world-class finishers in their set-up.

The likes of MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma to name a few have contributed to a number of chases in the shortest format, over the years. Indian Cricket Team have chased down 47 games out of 68 in international cricket.

Overall, the Men in Blue have played 145 T20 internationals, of which they have managed to win 89 matches. 49 games resulted in defeats. They have a top-notch win percentage of 64.18.