ICC WT20 2014 in Highlights

April 2, 2011 – India and Sri Lanka are battling for the greatest feather in a cricketing nation’s hat, the ODI Cricket World Cup Final. After nearly 3 years, they meet in another Final, this time for the shortest format. Sri Lanka has had a history of losing all of their last 4 ICC Trophy Finals but brilliant Lasith Malinga and somehow Kumar Sangakara overturned the fortune and Sri Lanka finally win an ICC Trophy after their ODI World Cup win 1996.

22 days of pure entertainment, from Match 1 to the Final, it got better and better with each passing hour. Here I bring you the shinning and the glittering highlights of this year’s WT20, the moments we will remember for a long time.

Team of the Tournament

Sri Lanka finally won an ICC Trophy after 1996.

Sri Lanka may have defeated India but they were far behind India to be the Team of the Tournament. India outplayed its opponent in nearly all of the matches (except the Final where Sri Lanka got better of them). They were undefeated in the tournament before the Final. Their batters never disappointed them (they usually don’t) and their bowling, which has been their weakest link in recent times, was probably the Best any team did in the entire tournament. To prove my point, Indian bowlers took 35 wickets in the tournament, two less than the most (37 by Netherlands). Netherlands however played one more game than India and faced weaker teams. They gave 6.75 RPO, only bettered by Nepal, Sri Lanka and West Indies. Their fielders made 28 dismissals – bettered by the Dutch again. When batting, they scored eight 50 or more runs partnership (the most) – equalled by the Dutch again. They also recorded the most individual 50+ scores. All in all, they had the best tournament they have ever had.

Batsman of the Tournament

No guesses! It can’t be any other than Virat Kohli. From Match 1 against Pakistan to the Final vs Sri Lanka, Virat never failed to score runs. He scored 319 runs in the 6 games of the tournament – easily the most by anyone. In fact the most anyone has scored in a single WT20. He was in a form of his life. Every bowler looked like Ashish Nehra or M Sami to him. He played his shots at will, mixed aggression with defence and smashed them all around the park.

Bowler of the Tournament

It is a tough one but Imran Tahir came on top beating Samuel Badree, Ravi Ashwin and Sunil Narine. 20 overs for 12 wickets at less than eleven balls per wicket – Tahir was outstanding. He played with skill, bowled every ball with dare and made the batsmen work hard for every run. Against big bats and small boundaries, he fooled them all and gave away 6.55 RPO. The best of his contribution came against Netherlands. 82/2 on the board and 64 to get in 69 balls, the Dutch sensed an upset but Tahir had other ideas. His tight and wristy bowling crumbled them to 118/7 and finally sailing South Africa over the shore with a 6 run victory.

Batting Innings of the Tournament

Myburgh helped Netherlands chase an enormous target vs Ireland.

Match 12 - Netherlands vs Ireland. The fates of three teams depend on this match. Either one from Ireland, Netherlands or Zimbabwe could reach the Super-10. Ireland bat first and posted 189. Netherlands must chase it in 14.2 overs or they are out. Ireland thought they have done enough. Stephan Myburgh came to open with Peter Borren for Netherlands. Myburgh pushed his first ball towards the off side for the single. In the next 10 balls, he smashed Six 6s and a Four (44 runs to be precise). This set the tone for Dutchmen and they did what was least expected from them – successfully chased the target inside 14.2 overs. Stephan Myburgh scored 63 off 23 balls (4 Fours, 7 Sixes) at a strike-rate of 274. One of the best T20I innings the world ever saw!

Bowling Spell of the Tournament

New Zealand are on course to chase South Africa’s 170 with well-settled Ross Taylor at 62* and only 5 down in the 19^th over. Seven runs to defend in the last over, Dale Steyn took two wickets, bowled two dot balls and effected a run-out; the only scoring shot was a four. Steyn's performance was the acme and enigma of death bowling.

Six of the Tournament

The world still talks about that MS Dhoni SIX vs Sri Lanka that made India World Champions after 28 years but it was Sri Lankan turn this time. Ravi Ashwin had the ball, Sri Lanka needed 3 off 14 balls. Ravi Ashwin went pass the umpire. Released the ball. Thisara Perera came down the track, reached the pitch of the ball and BOOM! SIX! Over-Joyed Perera punches the air in excitement and favours are returned to MS Dhoni and India.

Ball of the Tournament

South Africa bat first in the second Semi-Final vs India. Hashim Amla has scored 22 off 15. South Africa is looking good enough to post a big total against the Indian batsmen. MS Dhoni gives the ball to Ravi Ashwin. He starts with a wide. Next ball. He bowls the carrom ball that pitches well outside leg, Amla plays for it, but the ball has turned more than he expects, and has pegged back the off stump. Similar to what Shane Warne did to Andrew Strauss. The world will surely talk about this for a very long time.

Celebration of the Tournament

Do or Die for West Indies and Australia. A win will keep their hopes alive for a berth in the Semis. Australia post 178. Windies need 9 off the last 6. Sammy facing, Faulkner to bowl. Before the match, Faulkner had said that he didn’t like the West Indies. He now had a great opportunity to show it on field. Dot Ball. Dot Ball. Boom SIX! 3 off 3 now. Faulkner goes full and straight but Sammy bludgeons it down the ground! West Indies invade the field. Gayle went mad. He was toppled over by his team-mates on the way to rushing out, but once he's back up he breaks out the gangnam. It was the aggressive gangnam. Windies are pumped up!  A Caribbean reply to Haters!

Record Low of the Tournament

Netherlands are fresh from their thrilling win against the Irish. Sri Lanka plays their first match against the Dutch. People have changed their opinion about the Dutch. They are no more Under-Dogs. But Sri Lanka are the number One team in this format and right from the first ball they showed why are they on Top. Wickets fall at regular intervals. After 63 balls in the match, Netherlands are all out for 39 – Lowest ever T20I score by any team.

Upset of the Tournament

Hailstorm affected West Indian run-chase.

England was already Out of the semi-final race.  England vs Netherland was just a dead-rubber. England restricted Netherlands to 133/5 and it looked like they will easily chase it and salvage some pride. But the Dutch who had a dream WT20 so far weren’t switched off yet. Tight and disciplined bowling by Mudassar Bukhari and van Beek saw England collapse at 88 all out. Netherlands became the first Associate team to beat the same Test nation twice in T20Is.

And Nature showed his wrath

The first Semi-Final between Sri Lanka vs West Indies was in full swing. Suddenly during the second innings the wind roared, sending a cloud of dust into the stadium. Then the roof started to clatter. Sammy would later say it felt as if someone was throwing stones. It was instead raining hailstones almost the size of golf balls. Brave were the groundsmen who took a serious pounding in the middle while placing the covers on the square, even as the outfield turned white around them.

Israr Ahmed Hashmi is a Cricket Writer and Statsman. He tweets here.