Know the facts about Twenty20 cricket

New Delhi: Twenty20 cricket is the shortest form of cricket and is full of action, drama and major upsets by minnow. IPL has made this the most popular format of the game. However despite massive following there are some facts that might still be not known to many.Here are the 10 facts of T20 matches that are needed to be known of this much popular format: 1) Indian Premier League (IPL) is considered to be the world's costliest sporting event which also revolutionized the T20 cricket. But the origin of this format was back in 2003 when the first Twenty20 game was introduced by England Cricket Board (ECB). The inaugural event of twenty20 cup was won by Surrey county cricket club.2) The first T20 international was played in New Zealand, when the hosts were defeated by Australia by 44 runs. Interesting thing to know about this match is that New Zealand team had the retro look of 1980s.3) Chris Gayle is the first ever batsman to score a ton in any T20 international fixture and that too was in the first match of 2007 World T20.4) The shortest T20 international ever played was of just 13 overs in 2009 World T20. The rain affected match between New Zealand and Scotland was reduced to 7 overs per side. Scotland made a decent score of 89/4 in 7 overs while Kiwis chased the target in just 6 overs.5) The largest victory margin (in runs) is 172 runs when Sri Lanka defeated Kenya after scoring record 260/6 in 20 overs in 2007 World T20. Kenya was folded out for 88 in 19.3 overs.6) Dimitri Mascarenhas is the first bowler to take hat-trick in T20 cricket in 2004 while playing for his county team Hampshire. Brett Lee is the first bowler to take hat-trick in T20 internationals in 2007 World T20.7) Highest aggregate in both the innings of any T20 game is 469 runs when Chennai Super Kings scored 246 in 20 overs while Royal Challengers Bangalore was routed out for 223 in IPL 2010.8) West Indies attacking batsman Chris Gayle holds the record of maximum 11 centuries in the shortest form of cricket. He also hold the record of quickest century in T20 cricket which came in just 30 balls against Pune Warriors while playing for RCB in 2013 IPL. He scored an unbeaten 175 off 102 balls.9) Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh while playing for Kings XI in IPL 2011, hold the record of highest partnership for any wicket in all forms of T20 cricket. They put on a total of 206 runs together for the second wicket against RCB.10) Brad Hodge of Australia is the highest run scorer in all T20 cricket who has an aggregate of 5902 runs in 199 innings while Lasith Malinga is the highest wicket taker with 236 wickets in 171 innings. He is followed by Alfonso Thomas of South Africa who has taken 235 wickets in 191 innings and is still playing.