The Slowest Innings In T20I Cricket Of All Time

T20 International (T20I) is the most aggressive format in the world of cricket. In a span of 20 overs, players are expected to be as explosive as they can. The pressure of being a wholesome performer is on another level. Agile fielding, wicket-taking bowling, and striking batting, everything needs to be in place and on point. Given that T20I is so demanding, players not being their explosive selves is often debated. Especially as a batsman, you need to score the maximum amount of runs in a minimum number of balls. Nevertheless, there are times when cricketers are not at their best and end up underperforming in this format. Even some of the greats didn’t fail to succumb! Along these lines, let us look at the 5 slowest knocks in T20 International history.

Knocks Which Brought Embarrassment To The Game

1. MS Dhoni – 9 (27)

For Dhoni fans Seeing MS Dhoni on the number 1 spot here! This is one of those number 1 spots where the cricket fans would not like to see him. The best finisher, and one of the most successful captains, Dhoni is also the one to play the slowest innings in T20I. With a score of 9 runs in 27 balls against Australia in the 2008 Melbourne T20I, Dhoni tops the list. He had a strike rate of 33.33. Thrashed by 9 wickets with 52 balls remaining, the Indian team wasn’t at their best that day. Dhoni with 9 runs was the second-highest scorer from India after Irfan Pathan’s 26 runs. Surely One of his most poor knocks of all time.

2. Alok Kapali – 14 (35)

Alok Kapali – 14 (35) underscored one of the slowest T20I innings in the 2007 T20 World Cup. Kapali scored 14 runs in 35 deliveries against South Africa in Cape Town. His strike rate was low-lying at 40. A promising cricketer once, he immediately became a noted player in the first year of his ODI international career (2002). Some fans even started analogizing his adroitness with Brian Lara! In addition to this, Kapali was the first Bangladeshi to take a Test hat-trick. His T20I career run was a short one with just 4 years in it, i.e., from 2007-2011.

3. Yuvraj Singh – 14* (32)

Yuvraj Singh’s name in this list of slowest knocks in T20 International history is a big revelation! He was one of the best in this format and never hesitated to smash in a colossal fashion. The world can never forget his 6 sixes against Stuart Broad in the 2007 T20 World Cup! This inning of Yuvraj is an example of how great players also have their bad days. However, it was astonishing to perceive him struggling during the 2016 Asia Cup match against Pakistan in Dhaka. Although India won that match, none anticipated Yuvraj to register his name under the list of slowest T20I innings. Having a strike-rate of 43.75, he scored 14* runs off 32 balls. Surely One of his most poor knocks of all time.

4. Majid Haq – 14 (31)

A former Scottish off-spinner, Majid Haq made headlines when he played a timid innings against Pakistan. He made 14 runs in 31 balls with a strike rate of 45.16. Moreover, this newsworthy knock was played during the first edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007 in Durban. Subsequently, Haq became so infamous that he established his name in the people’s joke book of that year! Along with being known for his innings, he is considered one of the slowest bowlers as well. The spinner’s bowling speed is clocked at approximately 65 km/h (40 mph)!

5. Lendl Simmons – 16 (35)

Lendl Simmons is a Trinidadian cricket who played for the West Indies. As a matter of fact, West Indies is one of the best teams in T20I format. Players like Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, etc. are recognized for their hitting skills. But there are such instances even in West Indies Cricket which made the audience look surprised, a West Indian playing a slow knock.

5 Slowest Knocks in T20I History (Table)