http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/...m;view=innings
this is a list of all the lowest totals, batting first since Jan 1, 2000.
apart from India defending 160 something against WI in 2006 (at Kuala Lampur), no one has defended a smaller target than us (174 against NZ) in the 20-20 era - excluding ODIs against minnows. if you take out that Indian win since it wasn't played on a commonplace venue, then our win takes first place since the advent of T20 cricket - which has no doubt increased run rates and made chasing 400 a possibility. also India did it when there was no batting powerplay.
moral of the story, we need tough wickets at least for the world cup. but not for minnows like the coming ZIM series. we need flat tracks, so we can just out-bat them in a high-scoring shoot out.
flat tracks will always favor the superior side (batting, but also in bowling), and minefields will always favor the inferior side, especially if their strength is in the bowling dept (ZIM).