ICC World T20 2016: 5 dreams that were realized at the World T20
Emotions were running high post West Indies’ remarkable nerve-wrecking 4-wicket victory over England in the final of the ICC World T20 2016.
After all, several dreams were realized, both of the players as well as of the Caribbean fans who had grown tired of watching their team being loathed by every newbie and oldie alike throughout the cricketing world.
Carlos Brathwaite did the unthinkable by smashing 4 sixes off the last four balls of the tournament when his team needed 19 off the last over to help the Windies win the title for the second time.
The hero of the match, however, was Marlon Samuels who exploded both on and off the field, first with his brilliant unbeaten knock of 85 to guide his side home, and then post the game, venting out his emotions against his critics.
This World T20 saw the underdogs lift the championship, the associates excel in an unprecedented manner, and the man of the tournament, who broke all sorts of T20 records en route carrying his team to the semi-finals amongst other things.
Here, we recount 5 dreams that were realized at the ICC World T20 2016.
1. Oman’s first ever World T20 win
In the qualifying round, the Group A match between Ireland and Oman was widely expected to be a one-sided affair.
Not only did Ireland boast of a much experienced T20 side as compared to their opponents, they also had the experience of playing in the World T20s before. Hence, when a total of 155 was raised, it was expected to be too much for the Oman side.
What transpired, however, not only showed how unpredictable the shortest format of the game can be, but also emphasized upon the potential that some of the Affiliate nations had in store.
While Khawar Ali and Zeeshan Maqsood gave Oman a whirlwind start, and Jatinder Singh held the innings together while wickets were tumbling at the other end, it was Amir Ali, the bespectacled hero, who led the side to victory with a breathtaking knock of 34 off just 17 balls with 5 fours and a six.
Oman not just defied the odds in the game, but also earned their first ever win in an ICC global tournament playing their first World T20.