South Africa defended 113 runs against Bangladesh at the Nassau Cricket County Stadium in New York during a Group D match in the T20 Cricket World Cup 2024. Bangladesh were restricted to just 109 runs. Previously the record had been held by Sri Lanka. India matched them after beating Pakistan on Sunday but now the owner of this record is South Africa. The T20 World Cup have seen some incredible matches where teams have successfully defended low targets. So, let's look at the teams who have defended the lowest targets in the T20 World Cups.

Read Also: Lowest Team Totals in the T20 World Cup history

Lowest Targets defended in T20 World Cups (Top Five)

South Africa (113 vs Bangladesh, 2024)

T20 World Cup 2024: South Africa registered a close 4-run victory against Bangladesh — **South Africa registered a close 4-run victory against Bangladesh | Image: Getty**

South Africa holds the record for the lowest score defended in T20 World Cup history. The 2024 T20 World Cup match between South Africa and Bangladesh was a thrilling contest. After electing to bat first, South Africa could only put up 113 runs on the scoreboard, thanks to Heinrich Klaasen's 46. During Bangladesh's chase, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje took 2 wickets each while Keshav Maharaj bowled a brilliant spell of 3/27 as South Africa won the contest by 4 runs.

Sri Lanka (119 vs New Zealand, 2014)

**Sri Lanka restricted New Zealand to 60 while defending 119 | Image: Getty**

Sri Lanka successfully defended 119 runs against New Zealand in the 2014 T20 Cricket World Cup at Chattogram. Despite chasing a small total, New Zealand struggled a lot and were all-out for 60 runs. Rangana Herath took 3/5, making it the lowest target defended in T20 World Cup history.

India (119 vs Pakistan, 2024)

India defended 119 runs against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2024 — **India defended 119 runs against Pakistan | Image: CREIMAS**

India now have become the joint first on the list of the lowest defended totals in T20 Cricket World Cups. But, they are in second place because Pakistan scored way more than New Zealand in the run chase. Put into bat first, India were dismissed for 119 runs in 19 overs. Rishabh Pant was the top-scorer with 42 runs. Jasprit Bumrah (3/14) and Hardik Pandya (2/24) delivered a brilliant bowling performance as the Pakistan Cricket Team was restricted to 113 runs, falling short by just 6 runs.

Afghanistan (123 vs West Indies, 2016)

Afghanistan players celebrate their historic win — **Afghanistan players get together to celebrate their close win | Image: AP**

The 2016 T20 World Cup saw a historic upset when underdogs Afghanistan beat West Indies. Batting first, the Afghans could only manage to score 123 runs. But, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi made the chasing difficult for the West Indies batters and restricted them to 117 runs. Afghanistan won the match by 6 runs, creating a huge upset in the tournament.

New Zealand (126 vs India, 2016)

New Zealand registered a 47-run win over India in the 2016 T20 Cricket World Cup — **New Zealand registered a 47-run win over India in the 2016 World Cup | Image: AFP**

New Zealand is third on the list of lowest defended total in T20 Cricket World Cups. Electing to bat first, New Zealand could only score 126 runs. The spin trio of Mitchell Santner (4/11), Ish Sodhi (3/18), and Nathan McCullum (2/15) delivered a clinical performance to stop India from chasing the target. India were dismissed for 76 runs, with only three batters reaching the double-figure mark.

Lowest Targets defended in T20 Cricket World Cups (Top Ten)

Rank	Team	Score	Against	Opponent Score	Venue	Year
1	South Africa	113/6	Bangladesh	109/7	New York	2024
2	Sri Lanka	119	New Zealand	60	Chattogram	2014
3	India	119	Pakistan	113/7	New York	2024
4	Afghanistan	123/7	West Indies	117/8	Nagpur	2016
5	New Zealand	126/7	India	79	Nagpur	2016
6	South Africa	128/7	New Zealand	127/5	Lord’s	2009
7	South Africa	130/5	India	118/8	Nottingham	2009
8	Zimbabwe	130/8	Pakistan	129/8	Perth	2022
9	Netherlands	133/5	England	88	Chattogram	2014
10	New Zealand	133/7	Pakistan	132/7	Barbados	2010

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