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- Ind vs Ban (2016)
The ICC T20 World Cup match between India and Bangladesh on March 23, 2016, in Bangalore was a thriller. India set a target of 146, with contributions from Suresh Raina (30) and Hardik Pandya (15). Bangladesh’s chase started strong, needing just 11 runs off the final over with 4 wickets in hand. Hardik Pandya’s first three balls conceded 9 runs, but then Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah were caught on consecutive deliveries. With 2 runs needed off the final ball, MS Dhoni’s quick thinking and sprint to the stumps ran out Mustafizur Rahman, securing a dramatic 1-run victory for India. This last-ball finish showcased Dhoni’s brilliance and the intense nature of T20 cricket.
- South Africa vs NZ (2009)
In a heart-stopping finish at Lord’s on June 9th, 2009, South Africa pulled off a dramatic one-run victory against New Zealand in the ICC World Twenty20. Chasing a modest 128, New Zealand seemed on course for victory thanks to Brendon McCullum’s early fireworks. However, South Africa’s bowlers, with Roelof van der Merwe claiming two wickets, never let them run away with the chase. The drama reached a fever pitch in the final over. With New Zealand needing just two runs to win, the last ball saw Jacob Oram dismissed, leaving South Africa victorious by the narrowest of margins. Despite a modest batting performance with Graeme Smith’s 33 as the top score, South Africa’s bowlers emerged as heroes, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
- NZ vs PAK (2010)
In a heart-stopping encounter at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown on May 8th, 2010, New Zealand pulled off a heist against Pakistan in the ICC World Twenty20. Chasing a seemingly manageable target of 133, Pakistan looked well on their way with a dominant knock from their opener, Salman Butt. Butt’s unbeaten 67 runs anchored the Pakistani innings, but the New Zealand bowling attack, led by the economical Ian Butler, never let them completely off the hook. Butler’s impressive spell of three wickets for just under 5 runs an over (4.75 economy) kept the pressure on Pakistan, restricting their scoring throughout the innings. The drama reached its peak in the final over. With just two runs required for victory, the tension was palpable. Pakistan batsmen, needing just a single to seal the win, found themselves facing the in-form Butler. Nerves played a role as Abdul Rehman, the batsman on strike, mistimed a delivery, resulting in a sharp catch taken by Martin Guptill at the boundary. The dismissal sparked jubilation in the New Zealand camp, leaving Pakistanis heartbroken by the narrow one-run defeat.
- India vs SA (2012)
In a tense encounter at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on October 2nd, 2012, India edged out South Africa by a thrilling margin of just one run in the ICC T20 World Cup. Despite a valiant 45 by Suresh Raina, India’s batting stumbled, leaving them with a modest total of 152 runs. South Africa, with Faf du Plessis anchoring their innings with a well-made 65, looked on course for victory. However, India’s bowlers, particularly Zaheer Khan and Lakshmipathy Balaji, who each claimed three wickets, kept them in the hunt. The drama reached its peak in the final over. Needing two runs to win in the last ball, South Africa’s hopes were dashed when Morne Morkel was castled by Lakshmipathy Balaji’s delivery, sparking jubilation in the Indian camp.
- Zimbabwe vs PAK (2022)
In a sensational upset at the 2022 T20 World Cup on October 27th, Zimbabwe defied the odds to snatch a dramatic one-run victory from Pakistan. Set a modest target of 131 runs, Zimbabwe’s batting, spearheaded by Sean Williams’ knock of 31, laid the foundation for the unlikely win. Pakistan, boasting a strong batting line-up, started confidently with Shan Masood leading the charge with a well-made 44. However, the middle order faltered, and the chase became a tense affair. The drama intensified in the final over. Pakistan required just 2 runs to win, but nerves got the better of them. With victory seemingly within their grasp, disaster struck as Shaheen Shah Afridi was run out on the last ball, sending shockwaves through the cricketing world. Sikandar Raza emerged as the hero for Zimbabwe, taking 3 crucial wickets and stifling the Pakistani chase. While Mohammad Wasim impressed with 4 wickets for Pakistan, his efforts with the bat ultimately proved insufficient.
The T20 World Cup thrives on last-ball drama. From South Africa’s heist in 2009 to Zimbabwe’s giant-killing in 2022, these one-wicket victories epitomize the format’s unpredictability. They etch themselves in T20 World Cup lore, a testament to the format’s ability to produce heart-stopping finishes and remind us that even the finest teams can be dethroned by a single delivery.
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