Best Matches of ICC World T20 2016
Cricwizz looks at some of the best matches played in this World T20.
- England vs West Indies, Final: Needing 19 runs off the last over, Carlos Brathwaite completed the formalities with two balls to spare, hitting four sixes back to back. It was as dramatic an ending to a final as one would’ve ever witnessed. Scenes of jubilation and disappointment ran parallel at the Eden Gardens, as did the ‘Champion’ dance and a distraught Ben Stokes. This was the first time that a T20 World Cup final saw four straight sixes hit in the last over to win a game. Through the course of four hours, momentum kept shifting between the two sides – England and West Indies, with the latter sealing it eventually. Even as Marlon Samuels walked away with his second Man of the Match award in as many World T20 finals, it wasn’t a one-man effort. It wasn’t just about cricket. Joy, anger, tears and hope – narrations are aplenty, for so many stories were scripted. It was a final to remember.
- India vs Bangladesh Super 10: The image of MS Dhoni knocking the bails off before Mustafizur Rahman could reach the batsman’s end of the crease off the last ball of the match is likely to go down in history as one of cricket’s most iconic pictures. It spoke about everything that the match had to offer. While Bangladesh had pain and despair of being so near yet so far to contend with, ecstasy and jubilation engulfed the Indian corner. The bout that lasted till the stretch of the last second was won by the one who remained calm – none more fitting than the Indian skipper. Needing a target of 147 runs to beat India and keep their hopes alive in the competition, Bangladesh paced their chase perfectly and brought it down to two runs off three deliveries. Dhoni took complete advantage of Bangladesh’s over-zealousness, and in company of Hardik Pandya , the bowler , helped India to a one-run win.
- India vs Australia , Super 10: Playing their last match of the Super 10 phase, it was a do-or-die clash for India and Australia in order to qualify for the semifinal. With spin playing little part in the match, the hosts didn’t get much advantage to bank upon. On a relatively large ground in Mohali, Virat Kohli demonstrated a fine show of batsmanship, a knock in T20 that would have had the connoisseurs stand up and applaud. If the beauty with which the 27-year-old was dissecting the field wasn’t good enough, Kohli along with that ‘old man’ of Indian cricket – MS Dhoni, made a mockery of the best of Australian fielders with their running between wickets. From needing 39 runs off the last three overs, the match was done and dusted with five balls to spare.
- England vs South Africa, Super 10: Led by quickfire half-centuries from Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock and JP Duminy South Africa posted a mammoth 229 for 4. Surprisingly, England succeeded chasing the total down courtesy some brilliant batting from England top order. After a quickfire 16-ball 43 from Jason Roy, Joe Root stroked a masterful 83 to put England in a comfortable position. With one run needed off the last over, Kyle Abbott struck twice off the first two deliveries to send Chris Jordan and David Willey back to the dugout. Moeen Ali squeezed a yorker off the third ball to short cover and England decided against taking a run. They eventually did, off the fourth ball of the over, but not before the match had reached a nail-biting finish.
- England vs Sri Lanka, Super 10: The two sides were pitted against each other in a must-win encounter at the Feroz Shah Kotla. Against a depleted Sri Lankan side, England were the favourites on paper and form. However, spin was a potent weapon that the defending champions possessed. As it turned out, England’s batsmen ensured that spin was dealt with respect and a competitive total was posted on the board. To make matters simpler, England’s new-ball bowlers ensured that Sri Lanka were reduced to 15 for 4 within three overs. Angelo Mathews and Chamara Kapurgedera resurrected the innings, but the required rate kept creeping up. Suffering from cramps, Angelo Mathews played one of the finest knocks of the tournament to bring his side back into the contest. They gave England a scare, before eventually falling 11 runs short of the target.
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