ICC (International Cricket Council) runs a competition throughout the year ranking the teams according to their performances in different T20Is, known as the ICC T20 Rankings. After every series and matches, these World T20 Rankings of the teams are updated. And teams shuffle their position. The number of matches played is divided by the points, to get the final rating. Which determines the rankings of the teams. In the entire article, you can find all the necessary information you need on ICC T20 Ranking for 2020
T20 Format of Cricket
The abbreviation for twenty-twenty is T20. It is the shortest version of a cricket match. And because of this depends on how fast a bowler can take wickets, and how fast the batsman can make runs. Unlike the test match, which tests your patience to play in the heat. This format keeps a check on how fast you can execute your plans, and make your team win a match.
This format originally came into play in 2003. When the England Cricket Board for an inter-county competition. And takes about 90 minutes per innings with a 10-15 minute break between them. What makes it unique is its a fast-paced game which does not give you ample time to decide on strategies. And will have to change your tactics regularly, as in T20s with every ball the match can change. And a team that was losing can start having momentum on their side and the rules being managed by the ICC.
As the ICC manages Cricket at the International Level. By, making all the rules and regulations. Most of the countries have theirs on Cricket Council, which takes these decisions for their countries itself. To know more about how the Indian Cricket Council functions and all its responsibilities read the article on BCCI on our website.
Qualifications for Teams of ICC T20 Ranking
Any team which wishes to be a part of the ICC T20 rankings has to have played at least 6 matches in the time period of the last three to four years. And since, the craze of T20 cricket is rising constantly the number of teams in T20 cricket has risen. Following the increase in participants of the ICC T20 Rankings.
As of 2020, there are 85 competing countries for the T20 Team Ranking. Which have been playing this format, maybe not on a grand level. But are trying to make a spot for themselves in this world of cricket. And Australia is the champion as of 24 September 2020. Followed by England and India on the second and third positions.
Participating Teams of World T20 Ranking
Unlike other formats of cricket, like the ODIs and Tests which have only a few countries competing for these rankings. T20s have the most number of participating teams. Because of its fast-paced format. The nations from around the world love playing this format and that is why get on the ICC T20 Ranking Table.
One thing, that you should notice while looking at the ICC T20 Ranking tables is the teams known by the name of their nations. And these nations are so small in their area, as well as the population. And the craze of cricket is the only thing that is inspiring them to play this lovely team sport. Some of the countries aren’t even heard of like the Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Vanuatu, Belize, Samoa, Luxembourg, Saint Helena, etc. Though some of them stand at 0 ratings at this point in time, teams work really hard to maintain a certain spot and to do well in the game.
Calculating Formula for T20 Cricket Ranking
A mathematical formula is used to award the winning teams with points and ratings. Whereas the thing to keep in mind here is that series win do no make much of a difference in these rankings. It is different from how they do it for Tests specifically. There are a few things that the ICC considers for T20 Cricket Ranking.
Duration
For accounting for the points and ratings for ICC T20 Rankings it keeps a duration of years/seasons and considers the number of matches played in them for every team. It considers the past 3-4 years for the same. In which it looks at the 12-24 months after the last May plus the number of matches played 24 months or two years prior to it.
It helps the ICC maintain a certain and fair average for all the teams. And gives them equal chances to come and perform better and change their rankings accordingly. So that even one bad match will not affect the team rankings too much. And to give all of them a fair chance the weighing percentage of the previous years turns to 50% and for the current year becomes 100%. It is similar to what we do to rank the Test Teams.
How are the points offered?
For ensuring a fair play in offering points, the ICC again keeps a few things in mind. They divide the teams with a difference of more than or less than 40 ratings to give different points to the teams. And no team gets an upper hand in any of the games that the two teams play together.
Difference in ratings less than 40
When the difference in ratings is less than 40, both teams have an equal chance of winning the match. And are at almost the same level. So they are marked accordingly.
When a team wins a match they get points equal to the opponent’s ratings + 50. In a match that leads to a draw, the points are equal to the opponent team’s ratings. And for a loss, the points are the opponent ratings – 50.
Difference in ratings greater than 40
Whenever the rating difference is greater than 40, it implies that among the two teams one has the upper hand. And stands on a higher rank in the ICC T20 Team Ranking. And for the team with lesser rank to get a fair opportunity even if they lose a match, and get more appreciation with a win or a tie. Following this if the team with higher rank wins gets lesser points as it’s easy for them to win. So, the points for these teams are given as follows.
| Match result | Points earned |
|---|---|
| Stronger team wins | Own rating + 10 |
| Weaker team loses | Own rating − 10 |
| Stronger team ties | Own rating − 40 |
| Weaker team ties | Own rating + 40 |
| Stronger team loses | Own rating − 90 |
| Weaker team wins | Own rating + 90 |
Current Rankings for the T20 Team Ranking
Records and History of T20 Ranking
Through the years, since ICC started doing the ICC T20 Team Ranking many Nations and their Cricket Teams have made records on spots of the ranking table. Though the current champions are the Australians, but other nations are also not far behind.
Sri Lanka holds the record for keeping their team on the number 1 position for a record-breaking time of 1065 days. Whereas, Pakistan has received the highest rating any team has got to the date of 286 and has been the longest continuous champions with 824 days record. Followed by England, who has got the ratings as 273 and kept their number 1 position for 301 days.
FAQs Regarding ICC T20 Ranking
Points are the marks that every team gets for winning a match, according to the opponent they face. Whereas Ratings is the average of those points. To get the ratings you will have to add the previous points plus the points received after a match. Add one to the number of matches played and then divide it with the total points to get the average/ratings. These ratings then help in determining the rank of your team in the ICC T20 Ranking.
Yes, women also play cricket and the craze of women cricket is also increasing on a regular basis with the change in social thinking. Though, the cash price for women cricketer’s and their teams may not be as high as the men cricketers. ICC gives them the same opportunity to play and for the same reason, they get the T20Is as well as ODIs Ranking. Where they are ranked in the same way as Men’s Cricket Teams are ranked for their performances. And also organizes the same World-Cup and Champions Trophy tournament for both the genders.
There are a total of 56 countries that participate and compete with each other, to get a spot on the Women’s T20 Rankings. Out of the 56 teams the teams that do well belong to the same nations where men teams are doing great like Australia, New Zealand, India, England, South Africa, etc. And the current number 1 position holder is Australia at 291 ratings, followed by England at 280 and India at 270.
Editor’s Note | ICC T20 Ranking
As the world suffered from COVID-19, no field or industry remained unharmed. Some still managed to survive, but sports got a huge downfall in this scenario. Any sort of sport was stopped from playing, and the T20 Matches were also on hold for several months. But, as the world moves towards the new normal. Matches have started too. But, with a lot of rules and regulations to keep everyone safe and sound. Majorly being matches played with the audience on the stands. But the sports fans are grateful for them to at least start. You can have a look at the upcoming schedule of T20Is for this year on the Official Website of ICC and for all the updates on this situation.
