In the fast-paced world of Twenty20 cricket, Pakistan is a strong team known for its exciting and unpredictable style of play.
In the T20 World Cup, Pakistan has had many exciting moments, with wins, losses, and great performances.
As the cricketing world prepares for the upcoming T20 World Cup, starting on June 2nd in New York and the West Indies, it’s a good time to look back on Pakistan’s great achievements in the tournament.
1. Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – 2009 Final
The final match of a World Cup holds a special place in everyone’s hearts, especially when it’s a cricket World Cup. At that time, Pakistan was sad because cricket was banned in the country after an attack on the Sri Lankan team. But when the Pakistani team won the tournament, it brought happiness to everyone.
During the tournament, the Pakistani team played really well. Even though they had come close to winning in 2007 but lost in the last over, they didn’t let that affect them. Shahid Afridi played amazingly, and under the leadership of Younis Khan, they reached the final and won it.
In the final match at Lord’s, London, Sri Lanka chose to bat first after winning the toss. Mohammad Amir took an early wicket by bowling Dilshan out. Then, Abdul Razzaq got Jehan Mubarak out, and Sri Lanka was in trouble at 2 for 2. Shahid Afridi also took an important wicket, that of Isuru Udana. Sangakkara and Chamara Silva scored some runs, but Sri Lanka finished at 138/6.
Pakistan’s batting started well with Kamran Akmal and Shahzaib Hasan making a good opening partnership of 48 runs. Even though Akmal got out, Pakistan comfortably chased down the target in 18.4 overs, with Shahid Afridi guiding them to victory. Afridi’s performance got him the Man of the Match award.
Pakistan’s win was celebrated by Pakistani fans living in England, and it was a big moment for Pakistan cricket, their first world title since Imran Khan’s victory in the 1992 World Cup.
2. Pakistan vs India – 2021 Dubai
The Pakistan vs India match is always a big deal in any ICC tournament. These two teams have a long history of rivalry, which makes cricket matches between them even more exciting.
Overall, Pakistan has won more matches against India, but in ICC tournaments, India usually does better. Especially in World Cup matches, whether T20I or ODI, Pakistan has won only one match against India. And that match was the India vs Pakistan group-stage match in 2022 at the Dubai International Stadium.
In that match, both captains, Kohli for India and Babar for Pakistan, came out for the toss, and Pakistan won it, choosing to field first.
Shaheen Afridi bowled really well in the beginning, taking early wickets of India’s experienced openers Rohit and KL Rahul. Hasan also got a wicket by dismissing Surya Kumar Yadav. Kohli kept scoring, but then Shadab Khan removed Pant. Pakistan kept taking wickets, and India could only score 151 runs. It was a tough target, but Babar and Rizwan’s unbeaten partnership helped Pakistan win by 10 wickets.
Shaheen Afridi was named Player of the Match for his excellent performance. This match was the 200th time India and Pakistan played against each other in international cricket. It was also the first time in 13 tries that Pakistan had beaten India in either a Cricket World Cup or T20 World Cup match. Plus, it was the first time India lost by 10 wickets in T20Is.
3. Australia vs Pakistan – 2007 Super 8s
One of the best matches, in my opinion, was the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 game between Australia and Pakistan. It happened on Tuesday, September 18, 2007, at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Pakistan had a great win over Australia by six wickets during the Super 8 stage of the tournament.
Australia didn’t start well, with Matthew Hayden getting out for just one run in the first over. Adam Gilchrist scored 24 runs before getting out. Even though Andrew Symonds and Ricky Ponting had a partnership of 48 runs, Shahid Afridi got Symonds out for 29 runs, and Mohammad Hafeez got Ponting out for 27. Then, Michael Hussey (37) and Brad Hodge (36) made a partnership of 63 runs, helping Australia reach a total of 164-7. Sohail Tanvir did well for Pakistan, taking 3 wickets for 31 runs.
In response, Pakistan faced a tough situation, losing four wickets for just 46 runs in the seventh over because Australia’s bowlers got crucial wickets.
Stuart Clark got three wickets, getting Imran Nazir, Mohammad Hafeez, and Younis Khan out cheaply, while Salman Butt got out to Mitchell Johnson. However, Shoaib Malik (52 not out) and Misbah-ul-Haq (66 not out) made a great comeback, leading Pakistan to victory and likely securing a spot in the semi-finals.
4. Pakistan vs South Africa – 2022 SCG
One of the best matches, in my opinion, was the Pakistan vs South Africa game during the T20 World Cup on November 3, 2022, in Sydney.
Pakistan was almost out of the World Cup after losing early matches against India and Zimbabwe. They had won only one match before this, against the Netherlands, and really needed a win to stay in the tournament. It’s important to mention that Pakistan reached the final in the same tournament.
In this important match, a new player named Mohammad Haris showed great skills at the start of the innings. Contributions from Iftikhar and Shadab later in the innings helped Pakistan score a good total.
However, the match was shortened to 14 overs per side due to rain. Even with the bad weather, Pakistan won the match with a strong performance, especially from Shadab Khan.
5. Pakistan vs South Africa – 2010
One of the top matches, in my opinion, was when Pakistan played against South Africa at Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia, in the 2010 T20 World Cup.
Pakistan scored 148/7 in their 20 overs, with Umar Akmal playing really well and scoring 51 runs off 33 balls. Charl Langeveldt did great for South Africa, taking 4 wickets for 19 runs in his 4 overs.
In response, South Africa scored 137/7 in their 20 overs, with AB de Villiers making 53 runs off 41 balls. Saeed Ajmal did the best for Pakistan, taking 4 wickets for 26 runs in his 4 overs. Pakistan won the match by 11 runs.
