T20 World Cup 2022 Highlights
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 has ended but there were plenty of memorable moments that will be remembered. From the 45 matches played, there were records broken, upsets and great individual performances.
In the group stages, Sri Lanka had a rough start when they lost their opening match against Namibia. However, the team was quick to bounce back to beat UAE and the Netherlands to qualify for the Super 12. UAE’s Karthik Meiyappan scored a hattrick of wickets against Sri Lanka but to no avail.
Ireland surprised many by also qualifying for the Super 12 after bouncing back from their loss to Zimbabwe to beat Scotland and 2-time World Cup winners, West Indies. Zimbabwe and Afghanistan completed the line-up for the Super 12.
In the Super-12 group stage, there were a few upsets that no one expected. Zimbabwe defeated much fancied Pakistan and Ireland defeated the world number 2 ranked England. The biggest upset however was when the Netherlands defeated South Africa whom needed a win to secure a semi-final spot. This opened the door for Pakistan to qualify for the semi-finals.
Upsets aside, India and New Zealand showed great form in the Super 12 and qualified easily for the semi-finals. Both teams only lost once in the Super 12 to South Africa and England respectively.
England on the other hand after losing to Ireland, needed to beat New Zealand to keep any hope alive. They did so and went on to beat Sri Lanka to secure second spot in their group and with it a semi-final spot.
The semi-final line up pitted New Zealand versus Pakistan and India versus England with the New Zealand and India as favourites to make the finals. The tables were turned however in both matches.
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl. Their bowlers managed to take out the Blackcaps heavy hitters – Finn Allen, Devon Conway & Glenn Philips and limiting them to just 152 runs.
Pakistan’s opening duo – Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan then took over and combined for a 110-runs. The middle over batters then took over and ensured Pakistan qualified for their third finals.
The India and England game was expected to be a tight affair as it pitted the world number 1 and world number 2 teams in the world but England’s opening duo of Jos Buttler and Alex Hales had something to say about it.
England won the toss and chose to bowl – similar to what Pakistan decided on in the other semi-finals. India registered a respectable 168 runs for England to chase. Buttler and Hales not only scored a combined 170 runs but also set a new T20 World Cup record for highest combined score for an opening duo. This ensured England’s qualification to the finals.
Although India lost, Virat Kohli recorded the most runs in the tournament with 296 runs in total which was 54 more than the second placed Max O’Dowd and also recorded the highest batting average at 98.66 throughout the tournament.
