T20 World Cup 2024: Statistical Round-up of Group Stage. Check out Individual Records, Team Records and Upsets by Emerging Teams in T20 WC 2024.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 has delivered a thrilling spectacle across the cricketing world, hosted in the picturesque locales of the West Indies and the USA. With 40 matches completed in the first stage, this tournament has witnessed record-breaking performances, surprising upsets and notable trends that have kept fans on the edge of their seats. Here, we delve into the statistical highlights and key narratives that have emerged so far.
Record-Breaking Group Stage
The 2024 T20 World Cup has been a festival of records, reflecting the evolving dynamics of the shortest format. One of the most eye-catching feats was achieved by West Indies, who equalled the 17-year-old record for the most runs scored in a single over in T20 World Cups. Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh had hit England pacer Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over, and Nicholas Pooran matched this by plundering 36 runs in a single over against Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai.
Pooran's brisk hitting also helped the hosts register the highest ever powerplay total in the history of the T20 World Cups. In contrast, in the second last match of the group stage, Lockie Ferguson bowled the most economical spell in T20 World Cup history, not conceding a single run and taking three wickets with four maidens to his name against minnows Papua New Guinea.
Individual brilliance was on full display as well, with Nicholas Pooran’s 98 against Afghanistan standing out as the highest individual score of the ongoing edition of the marquee event. This knock not only contributed to his team’s victory but also placed him atop the six-hitters list for the tournament, sharing the spot with USA's Aaron Jones, each having struck 13 sixes.
Moreover, the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 has recorded the highest number of times that teams got all-out under the score of 100 runs so far. Ten times, teams have not crossed 100 runs in an innings, which is a record. The previous record was 8 in the 2014 and 2021 editions.
Following is the list of the records registered by the teams and individuals:
Individual Records
Highest Individual runs in an innings in T20 World Cup 2024
1. Nicholas Pooran: 98 vs Afghanistan
2. Aaron Jones: 94* vs Canada
3. Rahmanullah Gurbaz: 80 vs New Zealand
Most Sixes in T20 World Cup 2024
1. Nicholas Pooran (West Indies): 13
2. Aaron Jones (USA): 13
Most Economical Spell in T20I History
- Lockie Ferguson: 4-4-0-3 vs Papua New Guinea
Most Runs in T20 World Cups
- Babar Azam broke MS Dhoni's record during the match against Ireland. Babar surpassed former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's tally of 529 runs (29 innings) in the marquee competition. The right-hand batter now has 549 runs to his name in 17 innings as captain in the T20 World Cup
Lowest Strike Rate in T20 World Cup Inning
1. Ronak Patel (Uganda): 2 runs off 20 balls (Strike rate: 10)
2. Brian Masaba (Uganda): 3 runs off 20 balls (Strike rate: 15)
Team Records
Highest Team Totals in T20 World Cups
1. England: 230/8 vs South Africa in 2016
2. South Africa: 229/4 vs England in 2016
3. India: 218/4 vs England in 2007
4. West Indies: 218/5 vs Afghanistan in 2024
Highest Powerplay Totals in Men's T20 World Cup History
1. West Indies: 92 vs Afghanistan (2024)
2. Netherlands: 91 vs Ireland (2014)
3. England: 89 vs South Africa (2016)
Biggest Win Margin in T20 World Cup History (by balls remaining)
1. England: 101 balls to spare vs Oman (2024)
3.Sri Lanka: 90 balls to spare vs Netherlands (2014)
2. New Zealand: 88 balls to spare vs Papua New Guinea (2024)
Lowest Innings Run Rate in T20 World Cup History
- Uganda: 40 runs in 18.4 overs at a run rate of 2.14.
Lowest T20 World Cup Score
- Uganda: 39 runs vs West Indies, joint-lowest with Netherlands (39 runs).
Biggest Win Margin by Runs Men's T20 World Cups history
Sri Lanka - 172 runs vs Netherlands (2014)
West Indies - 134 runs vs Uganda (2024)
Other Notable Team Records
- Uganda's innings against West Indies had all ten batters scoring single digits, the second such instance in T20 World Cup history.
- The England vs Oman match saw the first two legitimate balls of a Men's T20I innings hit for sixes which were smashed by opener Phil Salt.
Major Upsets by Emerging Teams
The group stage was also marked by significant upsets, demonstrating the rising standards of associate nations. USA, co-hosts of the tournament, have been the standout performers among the emerging teams. They opened their campaign with a convincing seven-wicket win over Canada in a high-scoring game, making a statement that they are here to compete, not just participate.
Later, they stunned Pakistan in a thrilling Super Over finish, not letting the ‘Men in Green’ collect 18 off an over. Their journey to the Super Eights was cemented by a rain-affected draw against Ireland, showcasing their resilience and strategic acumen. The only match they lost was against India, where they were in the game for almost 34 overs.
Scotland, Afghanistan and Netherlands have also punched above their weight. Afghanistan opened their campaign with thumping victories over Papua New Guinea, Uganda and traditional powerhouses like New Zealand, propelling them into the next stage. However, the spirited West Indies side gave them a reality check in the last group stage game. West Indies, hosting the ongoing tournament, finished at the top of Group C, while Afghanistan were placed second.
Scotland’s consistent performances have underlined their growing competence on the global stage, keeping them in the hunt for a place in the Super Eights. However, their disappointing defeat against Australia in the final league game showed them the exit door.
Netherlands’ spirited displays have further enriched the narrative of underdogs making significant strides. They fought with Bangladesh for a place in the second round but faltered in the must-win game against Sri Lanka. However, their performances in the past three ICC tournaments are worth noting.
Full Member Teams Falter
Conversely, several established cricketing nations have struggled to find their footing in this tournament. Pakistan, runners-up in the 2022 edition, faced a shocking early exit. Losses to USA and India, combined with a rain-affected match against Ireland, left them unable to advance past the group stage. The Babar Azam-led side finished third in Group A. Their elimination underscores the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket and the rising competitiveness among associate teams.
New Zealand, traditionally strong in ICC tournaments, also faced an unexpected downfall. Having not played much cricket as a group and requesting the ICC not to schedule any warm-up games ahead of the mega event cost them. Inconsistent performances and crucial errors in matches against Afghanistan and West Indies saw them exit prematurely. They finished third in Group C, marking a disappointing campaign.
Similarly, Sri Lanka, despite their rich cricketing heritage, failed to make a significant impact and couldn't perform up to their potential under their new captain Wanindu Hasaranga. Sri Lanka managed to win only one game, against Netherlands, saving their pride before signing off from the elite tournament.
What Lies Ahead
As the tournament progresses into the Super Eights and the knockout stages, the competition is set to intensify. Teams like Australia, India, West Indies and England, which have managed to navigate the challenges of the group stage, will look to leverage their experience and depth to push for the title.
For the underdog teams that have made it this far, the focus will be on maintaining momentum and continuing to challenge the traditional cricketing powers. Key players like Nicholas Pooran, Travis Head, Jos Buttler, Rashid Khan and Rohit Sharma, who have already made significant contributions, will be pivotal in the upcoming matches.
The Super Eights will also provide a platform for further records and potentially more upsets. Teams will be keen to capitalize on any weaknesses of their opponents, and strategic plays, including batting line-up adjustments and innovative bowling strategies, will be crucial.
The T20 World Cup 2024 has already set a high bar with its mix of record-breaking performances, significant upsets and competitive spirit. As the tournament advances, the stage is set for more thrilling encounters and potentially historic achievements. Fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see which team will ultimately lift the trophy in what has already been an unforgettable edition of the T20 World Cup.
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