T20I Rules for Pakistan Matches: 6 Over Powerplay, 4 Overs a Bowler and the Super Over

Short answer: In a men's T20 International, each side gets 20 overs. The first six overs are a Powerplay with only two fielders outside the circle. After that, five fielders may stand outside. No bowler can bowl more than four overs. A tie is settled by a Super Over, and each team may have two failed reviews per innings. These are the ICC rules from October 2026.

Pakistan's current T20I series against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi ends on 13 October 2026, as covered in our preview of the third T20I. The same ICC rules apply to every T20I Pakistan plays. We read the ICC's Men's Twenty20 International Playing Conditions, effective from October 2026, to write this guide.

The Powerplay is the first six overs

The first six overs of each innings are the Powerplay. During these overs, only two fielders may stand outside the 30 yard circle when the ball is bowled. This gives batters a chance to score fast, and it forces captains to place close fielders early.

From over seven to over 20, up to five fielders may be outside the circle. Unlike the one day game, there is only one Powerplay phase in a T20I. If rain shortens an innings, the number of Powerplay overs is cut by a table in the playing conditions.

No bowler can bowl more than four overs

A bowler may send down four overs at most in an innings. A team therefore needs at least five bowlers to complete 20 overs. Captains plan these overs ahead, usually saving one or two for the last four overs.

The ICC rules also set short time limits that keep the game moving. The bowling side must start each over within 60 seconds of the last one. A new batter must be ready to face within one minute and 30 seconds of a wicket. A drinks break, when taken, lasts two minutes and 30 seconds.

The Super Over settles a tie

If the scores are level after both innings, the ICC conditions call for a Super Over. Each team faces one over of six balls. The winner is the team with more runs, whatever the wickets lost. The loss of two wickets ends a team's Super Over innings.

1. The Super Over starts about five minutes after the match ends.
2. The team that batted second in the match bats first.
3. Only players nominated for the match may take part.
4. Each team gets one failed review per innings in the Super Over.
5. If the Super Over is also level, more Super Overs follow until there is a winner.

This matters for fans in Pakistan, because a tied game can run an hour longer than the ticket plan allows. For entry times and bag rules at the ground, see our Rawalpindi stadium guide for the T20Is.

Slow over rates take a fielder out of the deep

The minimum over rate in T20Is is 14.11 overs an hour. The fielding side must be in position to bowl the first ball of the final over by the scheduled finish time for the innings. If it is not, no more than four fielders may stand outside the circle for the rest of the innings.

The umpires give time back for reviews, third umpire checks, injuries and delays outside the fielding side's control. They also add one minute for the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth wickets. The ICC Code of Conduct adds fines and other penalties on top of this.

Rain, short games and the reserve day

Each team must get at least five overs to bat for a result. If play has not resumed in time to allow that on the scheduled day, a reserve day may be used where the event has one. Whether a series has a reserve day is decided by the organisers, and we did not read the Sri Lanka series rules.

For the refund side of a washout, read our page on PCB cricket ticket refund rules for rain and washouts. If you want to watch the match live, the guide to watching Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20 on TV and app lists the channels.

Common questions

How long is the Powerplay in a T20I?

Six overs. Only two fielders may stand outside the 30 yard circle during these overs.

How many overs can a T20I bowler bowl?

Four at most. So a side needs at least five bowlers to complete 20 overs.

What happens if a T20I is tied?

A Super Over is played, one over for each side, and more follow until there is a winner. The loss of two wickets ends a team's turn.

How many reviews does a T20I team get?

Two failed player reviews in each innings. In a Super Over each team gets one failed review per innings.

How many overs are needed for a result?

Each team must have the chance to bat for at least five overs for a result to be achieved.

How we verified this

What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.

Last checked on 13 October 2026, Pakistan time. We read the ICC's playing conditions page and the Men's T20I Playing Conditions document it links, effective from October 2026. We did not read the rules for any specific series, and the Pakistan Cricket Board website refused automated requests. We did not compare this edition with the previous one, so we do not say what changed in October.