Top 5 moments of 2024 T20 World Cup ft. India ending ICC title drought
The 2024 T20 World Cup came to a sensational end with India being crowned champions after beating South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling final at Bridgetown. Hosted by the West Indies and USA in June 2024, the 2024 T20 World Cup was played across 29 days and comprised 55 entertaining matches.
It seemed to be a perfect ending as the final between India and South Africa was an edge-of-the-seat thriller, with the pendulum swinging either way throughout the contest.
While India and South Africa put up consistent performances throughout the 2024 T20 World Cup, other teams, particularly the associate nations, also put up some great performances, playing exceptional cricket.
The tournament produced several moments that made it unforgettable, be it Virat Kohli's innings in the final, Suryakumar Yadav's blinder of a catch, Lockie Ferguson's record spell against Papua New Guinea, to first-timers and hosts the USA making the Super Eight stage.
With the 2024 T20 World Cup now completed, let us take a look back at the top five moments from the tournament.
#5 USA beat Pakistan in a mouth-watering clash
A major 'upset' was seen within the opening week of the 2024 T20 World Cup where debutants and co-hosts USA handed Pakistan a shocking defeat. In the Group A fixture at Dallas, the USA put up a spirited effort with the ball to restrict Babar Azam and his men to 159 for the loss of seven wickets. Nosthush Kenjige picked up three wickets while Saurabh Netravalkar picked up a couple.
As the game went right down the wire, the USA managed to level scores, getting to 159 for three with skipper Monank Patel scoring a half-century.
In what was a scintillating super over with the game initially tied, Pakistan failed to hold their nerves, giving away 18 runs to Aaron Jones and Harmeet Singh. USA pacer Netravalkar bowled a magnificent super over as they completed a historic victory over Pakistan.
#4 Gulbadin Naib's 'injury' against Bangladesh
An intense knock-out clash between Afghanistan and Bangladesh was further fueled with controversy as Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib was accused of faking an injury during the game.
With rain causing interruptions and Afghanistan being ahead by two runs on DLS in the 12th over of Bangladesh's chase, Naib fell to the ground holding his hamstring. Interestingly, the incident happened right after Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott was seen signalling the players to slow the game down.
As the physios entered the field to attend to Gulbadin, the game had to stop due to rain at that point. However, both teams were back on after a short break. Moreover, Gulbadin bowled and picked up a wicket as well.
While Afghanistan went on to win the game, Gulbadin was accused of 'cheating' to hand his team an advantage.
#3 Pat Cummins's double hat-trick surge
Australian pacer Pat Cummins recorded the first hat-trick of the 2024 T20 World Cup on June 20 against Bangladesh at Antigua, Cummins accounted for the wickets of Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, and Towhid Hridoy in three successive deliveries. Australia eventually restricted Bangladesh to 140-8.
Just two days later against Afghanistan at Kingstown, the Australian quick picked up his second hat-trick. However, his heroics went in vain as Australia lost the game.
Nonetheless, his achievement against Bangladesh made him only the second Australian after Brett Lee to claim a hat-trick in a T20 World Cup. With his performance against Afghanistan, he became the only cricketer from a Test-playing country to record successive hat-tricks.
#2 Afghanistan qualify for semifinals, end Australia's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign
With an aim to avenge their heartbreaking defeat against Australia at the 2023 World Cup, a determined Afghanistan beat them in a hard-fought contest on June 22 at Kingstown.
Led by 50s from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, Afghanistan put up a total of 148-6 after batting first. Their fast bowlers, led by Naveen-ul-Haq and Gulbadin Naib, then put up a stunning display to keep Australia down to 127.
Recording a historic 21-run victory over Australia, followed by their thrilling win over Bangladesh meant that Afghanistan qualified for the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
#1 India end 11-year ICC title draught
Coming close on several occasions, India failed to cross the finish line each time, unable to win an ICC title since their 2013 Champions Trophy triumph.
Putting behind the heartwrenching defeat in the final of the 2023 World Cup at home, India made the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup with an unbeaten run. Taking on South Africa in the summit clash at Barbados.
Courtesy of crucial knocks from Virat Kohli, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube, India put up a healthy total of 176-7 on the board. South Africa looked in control of the chase at one point. However, the Indian bowlers staged a terrific comeback to defend 30 runs off the last five overs as Rohit Sharma and his men won the game by seven runs in the end.
With this, India ended their 11-year wait to lift an ICC trophy again.