T20 Cricket

Live scores from every T20 match in the feed, international and franchise, plus a short guide to how the 20-over format works.

How T20 cricket works

Each side bats for a maximum of 20 overs. The first six overs are the powerplay, during which only two fielders may stand outside the 30-yard circle; after that, five may. No bowler may bowl more than four overs, so a captain needs at least five bowlers. Wides and no-balls cost a run and must be re-bowled, and a no-ball also gives the batter a free hit on the next delivery. Most competitions now cap the time an innings may take and apply a fielding penalty (an extra fielder inside the circle) for slow over-rates.

A tied match is decided by a Super Over: each side faces one over with three batters available, and the higher score wins; if the Super Over is tied, another is played. Rain-affected games use the DLS method, and a result needs at least five overs per side. Our guides explain powerplays and fielding restrictions, Super Overs and tie-breakers and the DLS method.

Where T20 is played

Twenty20 began as an English county competition in 2003. The first international was a women's match between England and New Zealand at Hove in 2004, and the first men's international followed in 2005. Today it is played at international level, at the ICC Men's and Women's T20 World Cups, and in franchise leagues on every continent, including the IPL, PSL, BBL, CPL and BPL.

Frequently asked questions

How many overs can one bowler bowl in a T20?

Four, which is one fifth of the innings. In a rain-shortened game the limit falls to one fifth of the reduced overs; when that is not a whole number, a few bowlers may bowl one extra over to make up the total, and in an innings of five to nine overs each bowler may bowl up to two.

Facts on this page were last checked on 24 October 2026. If something is out of date, tell us.