Twenty20#Rules

File:Andrew Strauss twenty20.jpg batsman Andrew Strauss batting for Middlesex against Surrey]]

When the Benson & Hedges Cup ended in 2002, the ECB sought another one-day competition to fill with the younger generation in response to dwindling crowds and reduced sponsorship. The Board wanted to deliver fast-paced, exciting cricket accessible to fans who were put off by the longer versions of the game.{{cite web |last1=Gardner |first1=Alan |title=T20 timeline: Revolution to uncertainty |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/t20-timeline-revolution-to-uncertainty-820517 |website=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN |language=en |date=13 January 2015}} Stuart Robertson, the marketing manager of the ECB, proposed a 20-over-per-innings game, invented by New Zealand cricketer Martin Crowe, to county chairmen in 2001, and they voted 11–7 in favour of adopting the new format.{{Cite book|last=Cleaver|first=Dylan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5n6uFKpbkY0C&q=Stuart+Robertson%2C+the+marketing+manager+of+the+ECB%2C+proposed+a+20+over+per+innings+game+to+county+chairmen+in+2001+and+they+voted+11%E2%80%937+in+favour+of+adopting+the+new+format&pg=PT11|title=Brendon McCullum: Inside Twenty20|date=2010-11-03|publisher=Hachette New Zealand|isbn=978-1-86971-238-9|language=en|access-date=22 November 2020|archive-date=3 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403174531/https://books.google.com/books?id=5n6uFKpbkY0C&q=Stuart+Robertson%2C+the+marketing+manager+of+the+ECB%2C+proposed+a+20+over+per+innings+game+to+county+chairmen+in+2001+and+they+voted+11%E2%80%937+in+favour+of+adopting+the+new+format&pg=PT11|url-status=live}}

The first official Twenty20 matches were played on 13 June 2003 between the English counties in the Twenty20 Cup.[http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/2003/ENG_LOCAL/TWENTY-20/SCORECARDS/13JUN2003/ Matches played 13 June 2003] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610070441/http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/2003/ENG_LOCAL/TWENTY-20/SCORECARDS/13JUN2003/ |date=10 June 2008 }} ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 9 June 2008 The first season of Twenty20 in England was a relative success, with the Surrey Lions defeating the Warwickshire Bears by nine wickets in the final to claim the title.[http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/2003/ENG_LOCAL/TWENTY-20/SCORECARDS/KNOCK-OUTS/SURREY_WARWICKS_TWENTY-20-FINAL_19JUL2003.html Twenty20 Cup, 2003, Final – Surrey v Warwickshire] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725173413/http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/2003/ENG_LOCAL/TWENTY-20/SCORECARDS/KNOCK-OUTS/SURREY_WARWICKS_TWENTY-20-FINAL_19JUL2003.html |date=25 July 2008 }} ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 9 June 2008 The first Twenty20 match held at Lord's, on 15 July 2004 between Middlesex and Surrey, attracted a crowd of 27,509, the highest attendance for any county cricket game at the ground – other than a one-day final – since 1953.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/may/25/usman-afzaal-surrey-middlesex-twenty20 |title=Usman Afzaal gives Surrey winning start but absent fans fuel concerns |first=Paul |last=Weaver |newspaper=The Guardian |date=25 May 2009 |access-date=17 May 2012 |archive-date=17 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317021026/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/may/25/usman-afzaal-surrey-middlesex-twenty20 |url-status=live }}

Thirteen teams from different parts of the country participated in Pakistan's inaugural competition in 2004, with the Faisalabad Wolves the first winners. On 12 January 2005 Australia's first Twenty20 game was played at the WACA Ground between the Western Warriors and the Victorian Bushrangers. It drew a sell-out crowd of 20,000, which was the first one in nearly 25 years.{{cite web |date=12 January 2005 |title=Sellout at WACA for Twenty20 match |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sellout-at-waca-for-twenty20-match-145226 |access-date=17 May 2012 |work=ESPNcricinfo |archive-date=22 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722110011/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sellout-at-waca-for-twenty20-match-145226 |url-status=live }}

Starting on 11 July 2006, 19 West Indies regional teams competed in what was named the Stanford 20/20 tournament. The event was financially backed by billionaire Allen Stanford, who gave at least US$28 million in funding money. It was intended that the tournament would be an annual event. Guyana won the inaugural event, defeating Trinidad and Tobago by five wickets, securing US$1 million in prize money.{{cite web |date=14 August 2006 |title=Guyana crowned Stanford 20/20 champions |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/stanford-20-20-2006-228881/guyana-vs-trinidad-tobago-final-252990/match-report |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=15 February 2023 |archive-date=8 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208111716/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/stanford-20-20-2006-228881/guyana-vs-trinidad-tobago-final-252990/match-report |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/html/20060208T230000-0500_98302_OBS_DATES_FOR_STANFORD_TWENTY___ANNOUNCED.asp|title=Dates for Stanford Twenty20 announced|work=The Jamaica Observer|date=9 February 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205185816/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/html/20060208T230000-0500_98302_OBS_DATES_FOR_STANFORD_TWENTY___ANNOUNCED.asp|archive-date=5 December 2008}}

On 5 January 2007 the Queensland Bulls played the New South Wales Blues at The Gabba, Brisbane. An unexpected 16,000 fans turned up on the day to buy tickets, causing Gabba staff to throw open gates and grant many fans free entry. Attendance reached 27,653.{{cite web|url=http://www.thetwenty20cup.co.uk/db/aus/article.asp?NewsID=1093|title=Gabba fans let in for free|publisher=Cricket20.com|access-date=31 March 2007|archive-date=8 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008024400/http://www.thetwenty20cup.co.uk/db/aus/article.asp?NewsID=1093|url-status=dead}} For the February 2008 Twenty20 match between Australia and India, 85,824 people attended the match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, involving the Twenty20 World Champions{{cite web |date=1 February 2008 |title=India crash to nine-wicket defeat |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-australia-2007-08-291320/australia-vs-india-only-t20i-291356/match-report |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=15 February 2023 |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326030354/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-australia-2007-08-291320/australia-vs-india-only-t20i-291356/match-report |url-status=live }} against the ODI World Champions.{{cite web|url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/292773.html|title=Australia v Sri Lanka, World Cup final, Barbados|author1=S Rajesh |author2=HR Gopalakrishna|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|accessdate=30 April 2007}}

The Stanford Super Series was held in October 2008 between the three teams. The respective winners of the English and Caribbean Twenty20 competitions, Middlesex and Trinidad and Tobago, and a Stanford Superstars team formed from West Indies domestic players. Trinidad and Tobago won the competition, securing US$280,000 prize money.{{cite web |date=3 October 2008 |title=Udal leads Middlesex for Stanford |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/udal-leads-middlesex-for-stanford-372261 |access-date=17 May 2012 |work=ESPNcricinfo |archive-date=22 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722110910/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/udal-leads-middlesex-for-stanford-372261 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=McGlashan |first=Andrew |date=27 October 2008 |title=Ramdin leads T&T to big-money glory |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/stanford-super-series-2008-09-354384/middlesex-vs-trinidad-tobago-362442/match-report |access-date=17 May 2012 |work=ESPNcricinfo |archive-date=18 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418093441/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/stanford-super-series-2008-09-354384/middlesex-vs-trinidad-tobago-362442/match-report |url-status=live }} On 1 November, the Stanford Superstars played England in what was expected to be the first of five fixtures in as many years with the winner claiming US$20 million in each match. The Stanford Superstars won the first match,{{cite web |last=McGlashan |first=Andrew |date=1 November 2008 |title=Gayle leads Superstars to millions |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-west-indies-oct-nov-2008-2008-09-354387/stanford-superstars-vs-england-354386/match-report |access-date=17 May 2012 |work=ESPNcricinfo |archive-date=20 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020045701/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-west-indies-oct-nov-2008-2008-09-354387/stanford-superstars-vs-england-354386/match-report |url-status=live }} but no further fixtures were held as Allen Stanford was charged with fraud in 2009.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7895505.stm |title=US tycoon charged over $8bn fraud |publisher=BBC News |date=17 February 2009 |access-date=17 May 2012 |archive-date=12 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712134738/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7895505.stm |url-status=live }}

{{Main|List of T20 cricket competitions}}

File:SRH fans while an ipl match.jpg season in Hyderabad, India]]

Several T20 leagues started after the popularity of the 2007 ICC World Twenty20.{{cite web|url=http://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1124714/are-t20-leagues-making-money|title=Are T20 leagues making money?|access-date=30 October 2017|archive-date=2 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171102012513/http://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1124714/are-t20-leagues-making-money|url-status=live}} The Board of Control for Cricket in India started the Indian Premier League popularly known as IPL, which is now the largest cricket league, in 2008, which utilizes the North American sports franchise system with ten teams in major Indian cities. In September 2017, the broadcasting and digital rights for the next five years (2018–2022) of the IPL{{Cite web|title=IPL Live Score|url=https://iplt20lives.com/|access-date=8 April 2021|website=iplt20lives.com|language=en|archive-date=12 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412215221/https://iplt20lives.com/|url-status=live}} were sold to Star India for US$2.55 billion,{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/sep/04/ipl-rights-sold-star-india-cricket-twenty-20|title=IPL television and broadcast rights sold for massive £1.97bn to Star India|date=4 September 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=18 February 2018|archive-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904130121/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/sep/04/ipl-rights-sold-star-india-cricket-twenty-20|url-status=live}} making it one of the world's most lucrative sports league per match. The IPL has seen a spike in its brand valuation to US$5.3 billion after the 10th edition, according to global valuation and corporate finance advisor Duff & Phelps.{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/ipl-brand-valuation-rises-to-usd-5-3-billion-duff-phelps/articleshow/60195840.cms|title=IPL 2017 Valuation|publisher=TOI|access-date=2017-08-23|archive-date=17 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917200045/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/ipl-brand-valuation-rises-to-usd-5-3-billion-duff-phelps/articleshow/60195840.cms|url-status=live}}

The Big Bash League, Bangladesh Premier League, Pakistan Super League, Caribbean Premier League, and Afghanistan Premier League started thereafter, following similar formulae, and remained popular with the fans.{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/top-stories/IPL-worlds-6th-most-attended-league-Big-Bash-9th-Report/articleshow/50535961.cms|title=IPL world's 6th most attended league, Big Bash 9th: Report|website=The Times of India|access-date=30 October 2017|archive-date=16 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216184007/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/top-stories/IPL-worlds-6th-most-attended-league-Big-Bash-9th-Report/articleshow/50535961.cms|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.in/cricket/story/_/id/20215459/the-lowdown-all-t20-leagues|title=The lowdown on the major T20 leagues|date=3 August 2017|access-date=30 October 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107025024/http://www.espn.in/cricket/story/_/id/20215459/the-lowdown-all-t20-leagues|url-status=live}} The Women's Big Bash League was started in 2015 by Cricket Australia, while the Kia Super League was started in England and Wales in 2016. The Mzansi Super League in South Africa was started in 2018.

Several T20 leagues{{Cite web|date=2011-05-09|title=IPL format: No time to relax|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/ipl-format-no-time-to-relax/story-ea1PcKRdYoIir1PIuq7MTN.html|access-date=2020-09-02|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-date=25 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125152823/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/ipl-format-no-time-to-relax/story-ea1PcKRdYoIir1PIuq7MTN.html|url-status=live}} follow the general format of having a group stage followed by a Page playoff system among the top four teams where:

• The first- and second-highest placed teams in the group stage face off, with the winner going to the final.
• The third- and fourth-place teams face off, with the loser being eliminated.
• The two teams who have not yet made it to the final after the above two matches have been played face off to fill the second berth in the final.

In the Big Bash League, there was an additional match to determine which of the fourth- or fifth-placed teams will qualify to be in the top four, Until the 2022/23 season.{{Cite web|date=2020-01-22|title=EXPLAINED {{!}} Format of Big Bash League 2019–20 finals|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/sports/explained-format-of-big-bash-league-2019-20-finals-1502848043.html|access-date=2020-09-02|website=The Statesman|language=en-US|archive-date=21 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021193417/https://www.thestatesman.com/sports/explained-format-of-big-bash-league-2019-20-finals-1502848043.html|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Twenty20 International|Women's Twenty20 International}}

The first Twenty20 International match was held on 5 August 2004 between the England and New Zealand women's teams, with New Zealand winning by nine runs.{{cite web |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/england/content/story/135007.html |title=Revolution at the seaside |publisher=Cricinfo |last=Miller |first=Andrew |date=6 August 2004 |access-date=24 March 2010 |archive-date=3 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403174603/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/revolution-at-the-seaside-135007 |url-status=live }}

On 17 February 2005 Australia defeated New Zealand in the first men's international Twenty20 match, played at Eden Park in Auckland. The game was played in a light-hearted manner – both sides turned out in kit similar to that worn in the 1980s, the New Zealand team's a direct copy of that worn by the Beige Brigade. Some of the players also sported moustaches or beards and hairstyles popular in the 1980s, taking part in a competition amongst themselves for "best retro look", at the request of the Beige Brigade. Australia won the game comprehensively, and as the result became obvious towards the end of the NZ innings, the players and umpires took things less seriously: Glenn McGrath jokingly replayed the Trevor Chappell underarm incident from a 1981 ODI between the two sides, and Billy Bowden showed him a mock red card (red cards are not normally used in cricket) in response.

The first Twenty20 international in England was played between England and Australia at the Rose Bowl in Hampshire on 13 June 2005, which England won by a margin of 100 runs, a record victory which lasted until 2007.{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283283.html |title=Records / Twenty20 Internationals / Team records / Largest margin of victory (by runs) |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=17 May 2012 |archive-date=24 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424045525/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283283.html |url-status=live }}

On 9 January 2006 Australia and South Africa met in the first international Twenty20 game in Australia. In a first, each player's nickname appeared on the back of his uniform, rather than his surname. The international match drew a crowd of 38,894 people at The Gabba.

On 16 February 2006 New Zealand defeated West Indies in a tie-breaking bowl-out 3–0; 126 runs were scored apiece in the game proper. The game was the last international match played by Chris Cairns.

The ICC has declared that it sees T20 as the optimal format for globalizing the game,{{Cite web|title=Cricket gets smaller before it can grow?|url=https://playthegame.org/news/news-articles/2019/0572_cricket-gets-smaller-before-it-can-grow/|access-date=2021-10-27|website=playthegame.org|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027181807/https://playthegame.org/news/news-articles/2019/0572_cricket-gets-smaller-before-it-can-grow/|url-status=live}} and in 2018, announced that it will give international status to all T20 cricket matches played between its member nations.{{Cite web|title=T20s between all ICC members to have international status|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/t20s-between-all-icc-members-to-have-international-status-1144460|access-date=2021-10-27|website=ESPNcricinfo|language=en|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027181808/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/t20s-between-all-icc-members-to-have-international-status-1144460|url-status=live}} This resulted in a significant leap in the number of T20I matches played across the world.{{Cite news|date=2021-10-20|title=Cricket looks set to become a global game|newspaper=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/10/20/cricket-looks-set-to-become-a-global-game|access-date=2021-10-29|issn=0013-0613|archive-date=29 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029031903/https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/10/20/cricket-looks-set-to-become-a-global-game|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=T20 International Cricket drives significant growth in 2019|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1607399|access-date=2021-10-27|website=icc-cricket.com|language=en|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027181806/https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1607399|url-status=live}}

{{Main|ICC Men's T20 World Cup|ICC Women's T20 World Cup}}

Every two years an ICC World Twenty20 tournament is to take place, except in the event of an ICC Cricket World Cup being scheduled in the same year, in which case it will be held the year before. The first tournament was in 2007 in South Africa where India defeated Pakistan in the final. Two Associate teams had played in the first tournament, selected through the 2007 ICC World Cricket League Division One, a 50-over competition. In December 2007 it was decided to hold a qualifying tournament with a 20-over format to better prepare the teams. With six participants, two would qualify for the 2009 World Twenty20 and would each receive $250,000 in prize money.{{cite web |date=13 December 2007 |title=ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier to be held in Ireland |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/icc-world-twenty20-qualifier-to-be-held-in-ireland-325356 |access-date=17 May 2012 |work=ESPNcricinfo |archive-date=10 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210141841/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/icc-world-twenty20-qualifier-to-be-held-in-ireland-325356 |url-status=live }} The second tournament was won by Pakistan, who beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets in England on 21 June 2009. The 2010 ICC World Twenty20 tournament was held in the West Indies in May 2010, where England defeated Australia by seven wickets. The 2012 ICC World Twenty20 was won by the West Indies, by defeating Sri Lanka at the finals. It was the first time in cricket history when a T20 World Cup tournament took place in an Asian country. The 2014 ICC World Twenty20 was won by Sri Lanka, by defeating India at the finals, where the tournament was held in Bangladesh. The 2016 ICC World Twenty20 was won by West Indies. In July 2020, the ICC announced that both the 2020 and 2021 editions had been postponed by one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In June 2021, the ICC expanded the Twenty20 World Cup from 16 to 20 teams starting from the 2024 edition onwards.{{Cite web|title=ICC expands men's world events: ODI WC to 14 teams, T20 WC to 20 teams|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/icc-expands-men-s-world-events-odi-world-cup-to-14-teams-t20-world-cup-to-20-teams-1264847|access-date=2021-10-27|website=ESPNcricinfo|language=en|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027181807/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/icc-expands-men-s-world-events-odi-world-cup-to-14-teams-t20-world-cup-to-20-teams-1264847|url-status=live}}

File:Twenty20 cricket start.JPG

Twenty20 cricket is claimed to have resulted in a more athletic and explosive form of cricket. Indian fitness coach Ramji Srinivasan declared in an interview with the Indian fitness website Takath.com that Twenty20 had "raised the bar" in terms of fitness levels for all players, demanding higher levels of strength, speed, agility and reaction time from all players regardless of role in the team.{{cite web|url=http://www.takath.com/articles/20090619|title=An interview with Ramji Srinivasan|publisher=Takath.com|date=19 June 2009|access-date=22 June 2009|archive-date=8 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008182417/http://www.takath.com/articles/20090619|url-status=usurped}} Matthew Hayden credited retirement from international cricket with aiding his performance in general and fitness in particular in the Indian Premier League.{{cite web|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/sport/cricket/hayden-heroics-shining-light-of-ipl/1511995.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918140528/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/sport/cricket/hayden-heroics-shining-light-of-ipl/1511995.aspx|title=Hayden heroics shining light of IPL|work=The Canberra Times|date=13 May 2009|archive-date=18 September 2009 }}

Several commentators have noted that the T20 format has been embraced by many Associate Members of the ICC partly because it is more financially viable to play.[https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/germany-brazil-thailand-t20-the-vehicle-to-drive-cricket-to-ever-newer-horizons-7585722/ Germany, Brazil, Thailand: T20 the vehicle to drive cricket to ever newer horizons] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027181805/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/germany-brazil-thailand-t20-the-vehicle-to-drive-cricket-to-ever-newer-horizons-7585722/ |date=27 October 2021 }} https://indianexpress.com/ 23 October 2021

"We are good at T20 because that's the format in which we get maximum exposure, apart from the fact that it is financially viable", says former Afghanistan Cricket Association chief executive Shafiq Stanikzai. T20's success has also inspired the invention of even shorter formats, such as T10 cricket and 100-ball cricket,{{Cite news |title=Thirty-two predictions for the future of Twenty20 cricket |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/twenty20-cricket-future-revolution-icc-tim-wigmore-freddie-wilde-a9179116.html |work=The Independent}} and its impact on cricket has been compared to or served as inspiration for innovations in other sports, such as with the 3x3 variant of basketball or the Indian Pro Kabaddi League.{{Cite web |last=Menon, DHNS |first=Sandeep |title=Sport and culture: An evolutionary tale |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/sport-and-culture-an-evolutionary-tale-1031884.html |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, on the other hand, has criticised Twenty20 as being detrimental to Test cricket and for hampering batsmen's scoring skills and concentration.{{cite web|url=http://phone.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/529427.html|title=I told Dravid not to retire – Ponting|access-date=4 February 2018|archive-date=5 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205074331/http://phone.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/529427.html|url-status=live}} Former Australian captain Greg Chappell made similar complaints, fearing that young players would play too much T20 and not develop their batting skills fully, while former England player Alex Tudor feared the same for bowling skills.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/review2013/content/story/706051.html|title=How is T20 affecting cricket?|access-date=4 February 2018|archive-date=5 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205074521/http://www.espncricinfo.com/review2013/content/story/706051.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/cricket/alex-tudor-fears-t20-is-killing-cricket-s-traditional-skills-a3213941.html|title=Alex Tudor fears T20 is killing cricket's traditional skills|date=30 March 2016|access-date=4 February 2018|archive-date=5 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205074222/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/cricket/alex-tudor-fears-t20-is-killing-cricket-s-traditional-skills-a3213941.html|url-status=live}}

Former West Indies captains Clive Lloyd, Michael Holding and Garfield Sobers criticised Twenty20 for its role in discouraging players from representing their test cricket national side, with many West Indies players like Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Jason Holder and Dwayne Bravo preferring instead to play in a Twenty20 franchise elsewhere in the world and make far more money.https://www.thetimes.com/article/739304fc-7038-4dd4-ae12-1fedd14ceb82?shareToken=ac39a9affbee92bf2ee5caa8fb075c48{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/t20-cricket-has-destroyed-west-indies-cricket-sir-garfield-sobers-2478570.html|title=T20 cricket has destroyed West Indies cricket: Sir Garfield Sobers – Firstpost|website=firstpost.com|date=22 October 2015|access-date=4 February 2018|archive-date=5 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205072238/http://www.firstpost.com/sports/t20-cricket-has-destroyed-west-indies-cricket-sir-garfield-sobers-2478570.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/westindies/content/story/816159.html|title=T20 has messed our cricket up – Lloyd|access-date=4 February 2018|archive-date=5 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205075109/http://www.espncricinfo.com/westindies/content/story/816159.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/cricket/842428/Why-isn-t-Chris-Gayle-playing-West-Indies-England-Test-cricket-series|title=Why isn't Chris Gayle playing for West Indies against England? Test absence explained|first=James|last=Gray|date=17 August 2017|access-date=4 February 2018|archive-date=5 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205072346/https://www.express.co.uk/sport/cricket/842428/Why-isn-t-Chris-Gayle-playing-West-Indies-England-Test-cricket-series|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/sports/cricket/missing-stars-india-vs-west-indies-gayle-narine-pollard|title=Gayle, Bravo, Pollard – Why Windies' Stars Will Skip India Series|date=23 June 2017|access-date=4 February 2018|archive-date=5 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205072629/https://www.thequint.com/sports/cricket/missing-stars-india-vs-west-indies-gayle-narine-pollard|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/twenty20/7790638/Twenty20-will-kill-Test-cricket-within-20-years-says-West-Indian-great-Michael-Holding.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/twenty20/7790638/Twenty20-will-kill-Test-cricket-within-20-years-says-West-Indian-great-Michael-Holding.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Twenty20 will kill Test cricket within 20 years, says West Indian great Michael Holding|first=Jim|last=White|date=1 June 2010|work=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}

Similar, New Zealand players Trent Boult and Jimmy Neesham turned down central contracts enabling them to play cricket for New Zealand, instead preferring to concentrate on Twenty20 franchise cricket. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/jimmy-neesham-declines-new-zealand-contract-blair-tickner-and-finn-allen-handed-deals-1334867?platform=amp

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|quote = Under-17s and Under-19s are playing T20 games in national championships, and at the detriment of two-day games. Good state players these days are averaging 35; if you were averaging 35 when I was playing your dad would go and buy you a basketball or a footy and tell you to play that.

|author = Ricky Ponting

|source ={{cite news | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/529427.html | title=I told Dravid not to retire – Ponting | date=25 August 2011 | publisher=ESPN Cricinfo | access-date=30 December 2018 | archive-date=8 October 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008135038/http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/529427.html | url-status=live }}

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In June 2009, speaking at the annual Cowdrey Lecture at Lord's, former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist pushed for Twenty20 to be made an Olympic sport. "It would," he said, "be difficult to see a better, quicker or cheaper way of spreading the game throughout the world."Quoted in Booth, Lawrence. "Myths; And stereotypes." The Spin, 30 June 2009. This became a reality starting with the 2028 Summer Olympics. T20 cricket has also been accepted into the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-16 |title=T20 cricket confirmed as one of five new sports at LA28 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/cricket-at-la28-cricket-confirmed-as-one-of-five-new-sports-at-la28-1403570 |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}

Twenty20 match format is a form of limited overs cricket in that it involves two teams, each with a single innings. The key feature is that each team bats for a maximum of 20 overs (120 legal balls). The batting team members do not arrive from and depart to traditional dressing rooms, but come and go from a bench (typically a row of chairs) visible in the playing arena, analogous to association football's technical area or a baseball dugout.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/998821.html|title=Bringing back fences could help even up the contest between bat and ball, and ensure that all sixes are genuine|date=17 April 2016|access-date=14 May 2016|archive-date=21 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521031419/http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/998821.html|url-status=live}}

File:Twenty20 game.jpg playing against Surrey at Lord's, in front of a 28,000-strong crowd]]

The Laws of Cricket apply to Twenty20, with major exceptions:{{cite web| url=http://twenty20worldcup.cricketworld4u.com/rules.php| title=Twenty20 Rules| access-date=5 January 2015| publisher=CricketWorld4U| archive-date=28 December 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228191508/http://twenty20worldcup.cricketworld4u.com/rules.php| url-status=dead}}

• Each bowler may bowl a maximum of only one-fifth of the total overs per innings. For a full, uninterrupted match, this is four overs.
• If a bowler delivers a no-ball by overstepping the crease, it costs one or two runs (depending on the competition) and their next delivery is designated a "free-hit". In this circumstance the batter can only be dismissed through a run out, hitting the ball twice or obstructing the field.
• The following fielding restrictions apply:
• No more than five fielders can be on the leg side at any time.
• During the first six overs, a maximum of two fielders can be outside the 30-yard circle (this is known as the powerplay).
• After the first six overs, a maximum of five fielders can be outside the fielding circle.
• However, in Australia's Big Bash League the Powerplay is only the first 4 overs, with the batters choosing when the same restrictions apply for 2 overs in the second half of the innings, in a period called a Powersurge.
• If the fielding team does not start to bowl their 20th over within 75 minutes, the batting side is credited an extra six runs for every whole over bowled after the 75-minute mark; the umpire may add more time to this if they believe the batting team is wasting time.

{{Main|Super Over}}

Currently, if the match ends with the scores tied and there must be a winner, the tie is broken with a one-over-per-side Eliminator{{cite web

| url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/358299.html

| title=One-over eliminator could replace bowl-out

| date=27 June 2008

| access-date=26 December 2008

| publisher=cricinfo.com cricinfo.com

| archive-date=28 June 2008

| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080628090639/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/358299.html

| url-status=live

}} or Super Over:{{cite web

| url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/12/26/2455345.htm

| title=Windies edge NZ in Twenty20 thriller

| date=26 December 2008

| access-date=26 December 2008

| publisher=abc.net.au Australian Broadcasting Corporation

| archive-date=29 December 2008

| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229064717/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/12/26/2455345.htm

| url-status=dead

}}{{cite web

| url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/nzvwi2008_09/content/current/story/384254.html

| title=Benn stars in thrilling tie

| date=26 December 2008

| access-date=26 December 2008

| publisher=cricinfo.com cricinfo.com

| archive-date=7 February 2009

| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207172225/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/nzvwi2008_09/content/current/story/384254.html

| url-status=live

}} Each team nominates three batsmen and one bowler to play a one-over-per-side "mini-match". The team which bats second in the match bats first in the Super Over.{{cite web|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/nzvwi2008_09/content/story/384312.html|title=Vettori opposes Super Over|date=26 December 2008|publisher=cricinfo.com cricinfo.com|access-date=5 February 2009|archive-date=30 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230220549/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/nzvwi2008_09/content/story/384312.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/current/story/386201.html|title=One1|last=The Explainer|date=13 January 2009|publisher=cricinfo.com cricinfo.com|access-date=5 February 2009|archive-date=2 January 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102133737/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/current/story/386201.html|url-status=live}} In turn, each side bats one over bowled by the one nominated opposition bowler, with their innings over if they lose two wickets before the over is completed. The side with the higher score from their Super Over wins.

If the Super Over also ends up in a tie, it is repeated until the tie is broken.

In the Australian domestic competition the Big Bash League, the Super Over is played slightly differently, with no two-wicket limit, and if the Super Over is also tied then a "countback" is used, with scores after the fifth ball for each team being used to determine the result. If it is still tied, then the countback goes to four balls, and so on.{{cite web|url=http://www.bigbash.com.au/the-league/rules|title=KFC T20 Big Bash League: Rules|publisher=KFC T20 Big Bash League|access-date=5 January 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109215244/http://www.bigbash.com.au/the-league/rules|archive-date=9 January 2015}} The latest Super Over to decide a match was between the United States and Pakistan on 6 June 2024, in the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas, with the United States winning 18/1 to 13/1 in the Super Over after tying on 159.

Tied Twenty20 matches were previously decided by a bowl-out.{{cite web |date=27 October 2008 |title=Super Over to replace bowl out |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/super-over-to-replace-bowl-out-375503 |access-date=5 January 2015 |publisher=ESPN CricInfo |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326030755/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/super-over-to-replace-bowl-out-375503 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Twenty20 International|Women's Twenty20 International}}

Women's and men's Twenty20 Internationals have been played since 2004 and 2005 respectively. To date, 76 nations have played the format, including all Test-playing nations.

{{Main|ICC World Twenty20 rankings|ICC Women's ODI and T20I rankings}}

In November 2011, the ICC released the first Twenty20 International rankings for the men's game, based on the same system as the Test and ODI rankings. The rankings cover a two- to three-year period, with matches since the most recent 1 August weighted fully, matches in the preceding 12 months weighted two-thirds, and matches in the 12 months preceding that weighted one-third. To qualify for the rankings, teams must have played at least eight Twenty20 Internationals in the ranking period.[http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/match_zone/team_ranking.php ICC Team Rankings] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117001145/http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/match_zone/team_ranking.php |date=17 January 2012 }}Kendix, David. [http://www.espncricinfo.com/rankings/content/page/211271.html ICC rankings for Tests, ODIs, Twenty20 & Women] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303202904/http://www.espncricinfo.com/rankings/content/page/211271.html |date=3 March 2015 }}. ESPN Cricinfo. ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

The ICC Women's Rankings were launched in October 2015, which aggregated performance over all three forms of the game.{{cite web|title=ICC Women's Team Rankings launched|url=http://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2015/media-releases/89919/icc-womens-team-rankings-launched|publisher=International Cricket Council|access-date=12 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225090128/http://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2015/media-releases/89919/icc-womens-team-rankings-launched|archive-date=25 December 2016|url-status=dead}} In October 2018, the ICC announced that the women's ranking would be split between ODIs and T20Is, and released both tables shortly thereafter.{{cite web |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/877811 |title=ICC Launches Global Women's T20I Team Rankings |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=30 April 2019 |archive-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012134938/https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/877811 |url-status=live }}

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{{ICC T20I Championship rankings}}

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{{ICC Women's T20I Rankings}}

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File:Eden Gardens Kolkata.jpg taking on the Chennai Super Kings at the Eden Gardens during India's IPL 01 (2008).]]

File:HobartVSPerth WACA.jpg taking on the Hobart Hurricanes at the WACA Ground during Australia's BBL 01 (2011–12).]]

File:Providence Stadium, CPL 2018.jpg taking on the Trinbago Knight Riders at the Providence Stadium during West Indies' CPL 06 (2018).]]

{{Main|List of Twenty20 cricket competitions}}

This is a list of the current Twenty20 domestic competitions in several of the leading cricket countries.

• List of Twenty20 cricket records
• List of Twenty20 International records
• 100-ball cricket
• The Hundred (cricket)
• T10 cricket, the 10-over format of cricket

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Twenty20 cricket}}

• [http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/index.html?class=6 Cricinfo – Twenty20 records]
• [https://cricinfot20.com/ CricinfoT20 – Twenty20 records]
• [https://newsable.asianetnews.com/cricket-battle-ipl IPL News 2021]

{{ICC World Twenty20}}

{{Forms of cricket}}

{{Twenty20 leagues}}

{{Team Sport}}

{{Summer Olympic sports}}

{{Authority control}}