5 Iconic Matches in T20 World Cup History

Over the years, the T20 World Cup has dished out some thrilling and nerve-wracking encounters between T20 powerhouse teams. 

From high-scoring games to last-ball finishes, the electrifying tournament has kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Here, in this article, we delve into the 5 most iconic matches in T20 World Cup history.

5. England vs South Africa | Mumbai, 2016

The 2016 group-stage match between England and South Africa was a high-scoring thriller. 

After being asked to bat, South Africa’s openers, Hashim Amla (58) and Quinton de Kock (52), provided a blazing start, getting 96 runs in 7 overs. Later, JP Duminy (54) and David Miller (28) ramped up the attack, taking South Africa to a formidable 229 runs.

The England batters knew the chase wouldn’t be easy. Their openers got them off to a fiery start, scoring 48 for 1 in just 2.3 overs.

At the halfway stage, England reached 118 but they lost 3 more wickets in between, putting them in a tricky situation. Then Joe Root played a scintillating knock of 83 runs before departing with 11 required off 10.

Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan accumulated 10 runs, bringing the equation down to 1 needed off 6. However, England lost 2 wickets on the next 2 deliveries, keeping the game hanging by the thread.

On the fourth delivery, Moeen Ali finished off the proceedings by taking a single. With that, England registered the highest successful run chase in T20 World Cup history.

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4. Australia vs Pakistan | Gros Islet, 2010

Australia squared off against Pakistan in the second semi-final of the 2010 T20 World Cup. Australia were aiming to make it to their first final, but they had a steep task.

Batting first, Pakistan raced off to 191 runs, riding on the backs of the Akmal brother’s fifties — Kamran (50) and Umar (56). In response, the Aussies couldn’t get the desired start and found themselves at 26 for 2.

Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and Captain Michael Clarke stabilised the chase, stitching together a crucial 32-run partnership. However, both went back to the dugout in a span of 4 runs, leaving Australia at 62 for 4.

Then Cameron White (43) and Michael Hussey (60*) brought the Aussies back into the game with their counterattack. White got out in the 17th over, and the onus fell on Hussey’s shoulder.

With the last 2 overs remaining, the equation came down to 34 runs required to win. Hussey scored 16 off the 19th over.

With 18 required off the last over, Mitchell Johnson got a single on the first ball, and Hussey did the rest with ease. He scrambled the ball for six, six, four, and six to take Australia into the final.

3. India vs Bangladesh | Bengaluru, 2016

The 2016 group-stage match between India and Bangladesh was a rollercoaster ride. For most of the game, Bangladesh had a grip on India, but they let loose in the last 3 balls.

Bangladesh won the toss and put India to bat first. India got off to a decent start, putting up 42 runs for the first wicket.

However, they couldn’t seize any moments and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Bangladesh bowlers had an upper hand over Indian batters and restricted them to 146 runs.

During the chase, Bangladesh also had a rough start, losing the first wicket on 11. But Tamim Iqbal and Sabbir Rahman put on a 44-run partnership for the second wicket.

However, Bangladesh also kept losing wickets regularly until the 18th over. With 17 needed off 12 balls, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim kept rotating the strike, taking singles in the 19th over. 

Now, Bangladesh required 11 to win the match off 6 balls. Mahmudullah found a single on the first ball, and Rahim sent the next 2 deliveries for four, taking the game away from India.

With 2 needed to win, Rahim wanted to finish the game with a big hit but perished by handing out a catch. Mahmudullah tried to do the same and got out in the same fashion.

The game turned out to be a cliffhanger, with 2 to win off the last delivery. Hardik Pandya delivered a short ball outside off, the striker missed it and tried to take a bye. 

But MS Dhoni dashed the stumps by sprinting towards them, pulling off a breathtaking escape to win by 1 run.

2. England vs Netherlands | Lord’s, 2009

The opening match of the 2009 T20 World Cup witnessed the Netherlands’ hand an upset to England, and that too at the Lord’s Cricket Ground.

Batting first, England posted a competitive total of 162 runs on the board, thanks to the openers, Luke Wright (71) and Ravi Bopara (46), providing a solid start.

While defending the target, England had the Dutch in their clutches at 23 for 2. But Tom de Grooth’s gutsy 49, along with Peter Borren’s 30 and Ryan ten Doeschate’s unbeaten 22, helped the Netherlands stay in the chase.

The match went down to the wire, with the Dutch requiring 7 to win in 6 balls. They ran singles on the 5 balls and took a double on the last delivery to etch a memorable win at the Lord’s

No one in their wildest dreams thought of the Netherlands having a go at the target. But they left everyone stunned by pulling off the chase on the last ball.

1. India vs Pakistan | Johannesburg, 2007

The final of the 2007 T20 World Cup between India and Pakistan was an absolute cliffhanger. It was just like the other thrilling India and Pakistan matches.

Batting first, India mustered 157 runs in 20 overs. Opener Gautam Gambhir was the high scorer with 75 runs, and Rohit Sharma provided the much-needed finishing touches, scoring 30 off 16.

During the chase, Pakistan endured blows at regular intervals and found themselves reeling at 78 for 6 at the end of the 12th over. Misbah-ul-Haq and Yasir Arafat put a break on the slump, putting up a 27-run partnership. 

As Arafat was looking dangerous, Irfan Pathan cleaned him up on the last ball of the 16th over. But that didn’t deter Misbah from crunching 18 runs in the 17th over.

Sohail Tanvir also swung his bat, hitting 2 sixes before Sreesanth bowled him out. Pakistan needed 20 to win off 12 balls, but they only had 2 wickets in hand.

In the 19th over, Pakistan lost one more wicket, and the equation came down to 13 off 6. Joginder Sharma had the ball in hand, with Misbah on strike.

Sharma sent down a wide delivery and followed it up with a dot. Misbah smashed the second delivery to a six.

With 6 needed off 4, he then attempted a scoop shot over the short fine leg. But the ball ended up in Sreesanth’s hands, sending India into ecstasy as they lifted the inaugural T20 World Cup.