Twenty20

Twenty20, or T20, is a form of cricket in which each team bats for a maximum of 20 overs. It is designed to be a shorter, high-scoring alternative to one-day and Test cricket, with most matches lasting about three hours. In official play, ties are typically resolved by a Super Over.

Twenty20 was introduced by the England and Wales Cricket Board in 2003 with the first Twenty20 Cup in England. The format spread rapidly, and the first international T20 event, the ICC World Twenty20, was held in 2007 in South Africa. Since then, T20 has become a major global format, both in international cricket and domestic leagues.

An innings lasts 20 overs, with fielding restrictions during the powerplay (the initial overs) that limit fielders outside the main fielding area. Batting tends to be aggressive, and bowlers employ variations to restrict run-scoring. A typical match ends when both sides have faced 20 overs or the chase is complete; a tie is usually decided by a Super Over.

Domestic T20 leagues have driven the format's popularity, including India's Indian Premier League (IPL), Australia's Big Bash League (BBL), England's T20 Blast, and others. The ICC Men's T20 World Cup brings national teams together every few years, alongside ongoing bilateral and tri-series T20s. The format emphasizes entertainment and quick pace, while coexisting with the longer formats of cricket.