The T20 World Cup explained
Twenty overs each, about three hours, and cricket's fastest-growing world championship.
Cricket's three formats
| Format | Length | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| Test | Up to 5 days | Unlimited, two innings each |
| One-Day International (ODI) | About 8 hours | 50 per side |
| Twenty20 (T20) | About 3 hours | 20 per side |
The tournament
The ICC Men's T20 World Cup started in South Africa in 2007, where India beat Pakistan in the first final. Teams play group matches, then knockout rounds; the 2024 edition in the West Indies and the USA was the largest yet, with 20 teams.
Winners so far
India (2007, 2024), Pakistan (2009), England (2010, 2022), West Indies (2012, 2016), Sri Lanka (2014) and Australia (2021).
Why T20 took off
It fits into an evening, rewards big hitting, and powers franchise leagues such as the Indian Premier League, which has made T20 the format most new fans discover first.