T20

Twenty20 cricket, commonly known as T20, is a shortened form of cricket in which each team faces a maximum of 20 overs. It was introduced in England in 2003 as a fast-paced alternative to longer formats and quickly spread internationally. The first Twenty20 International was played in 2005, and the global championship, the ICC World Twenty20, began in 2007.

T20 matches are typically played with a white ball, players wear colored clothing, and games are often completed in about three hours, making them well suited to television audiences. Each innings lasts 20 overs per side, and the objective is to score more runs than the opponent within that limit. If the chasing side reaches the target earlier, the match ends immediately. The format emphasizes aggressive batting, inventive bowling, and dynamic fielding, with strategy shaped by fielding restrictions during powerplays and the subsequent middle and late overs.

Internationally, T20 is governed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), and the format features both global events and a broad landscape of domestic leagues. The most prominent international competition is the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. At the domestic level, leagues such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), Big Bash League (BBL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and England's Vitality T20 Blast showcase top players from around the world and multi-team franchises competing for title honors.

The T20 format has become a major driver of cricket’s popularity and economics, influencing training, talent development, and cricket’s scheduling worldwide.