A simple guide to playing cricket | Cricket
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Set for 2026 in India and Sri Lanka
The tenth edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026. This tournament will feature 20 teams competing in 55 matches for cricket’s premier T20 title.
Cricket, with a global following of nearly two billion fans, is known for its intricate terminology, which may be perplexing to newcomers to the sport. To assist those unfamiliar with the game, Al Jazeera has published an illustrated guide breaking down common cricket terms.
Overview of the Game
Cricket is contested between two teams, each consisting of 11 players. The game is split into two innings. After a coin toss, one team bats while the other bowls and fields. The batting team aims to accumulate the highest number of runs, while the bowling team seeks to prevent runs from being scored.
In the second innings, roles are reversed, with the bowling team taking its turn to bat. The side with the most runs at the conclusion of the match is declared the winner.
The T20 Format
Cricket features three primary formats: T20, One Day International (ODI), and Test matches, each varying in duration and rules. In T20 matches, which last approximately three to four hours, each team is assigned 20 overs, totaling 120 deliveries.
An ODI match typically lasts seven to eight hours, with each team receiving 300 deliveries over 50 overs. The Test match, the longest format, can extend up to five days, with a minimum of 90 overs played each day.
Playing Field and Equipment
Cricket is played on an oval-shaped field, usually about 150 meters in diameter, surrounded by boundary ropes. At the center of the field lies the pitch, a 20-meter-long rectangular area where most action occurs. Each end of the pitch features three wooden stumps, also known as wickets, topped with two bails. Batters protect these wickets while attempting to score runs.
Positions on the field vary, with the batting team having two players on the pitch and the bowling team positioning its eleven players to minimize scoring opportunities.
Scoring Runs
Batters aim to score runs by hitting the ball into gaps between fielders or over the boundary. A run is achieved when both batters run to the opposite end of the pitch before the ball is returned. A single run is scored for successfully running across the pitch, while four runs are awarded if the ball reaches the boundary after hitting the ground. If the ball is hit over the boundary without bouncing, six runs are scored.
Dismissal of Players
Players can be dismissed through various methods, typically referred to as “losing a wicket.” The most common methods include:
- Bowled: The batter is out if a delivered ball hits the wicket after missing their bat.
- Caught: A batter is out if a fielding player catches the ball before it touches the ground after the batter strikes it.
- Run-Out: A player can be run out if the fielding team successfully hits the wicket with the ball while the batter is attempting to run.
- LBW (Leg Before Wicket): A batter may be given out LBW if the ball strikes their legs in front of the wicket, preventing the wicket from being hit.
When a player is adjudged out, the umpire signals the dismissal by raising a finger.
Understanding the Score
In cricket, the score is represented through three figures: the total runs scored, the number of outs, and the overs bowled. A typical score might appear as 109-5 (10 overs), indicating that the batting team has scored 109 runs, lost five wickets, and bowled 10 overs.
The scoring in T20 matches can vary significantly, typically ranging from 100 to 250 runs. A score of 100 is considered low, while 250 is seen as highly competitive.
In a notable match in 2024, Zimbabwe scored an impressive 344 runs against The Gambia, who managed to secure only 54 runs, resulting in a 290-run victory for Zimbabwe.
