Ragged nails and jangling nerves
The most memorable ties and jailbreaks feature in our list of World T20 thrillers
Alan Gardner
04-Mar-2016
India v Pakistan (2007)
The history of the game was changed by India's dramatic victory in the final but these two played out an even closer finish in the group stage. Pakistan needed 39 from 14, only for Misbah-ul-Haq to unexpectedly bring the "boom" and level the scores with two balls to spare. Sreesanth rose to the challenge, Misbah was run out off the last delivery and Pakistan then fluffed the bowl out, losing 3-0.
The history of the game was changed by India's dramatic victory in the final but these two played out an even closer finish in the group stage. Pakistan needed 39 from 14, only for Misbah-ul-Haq to unexpectedly bring the "boom" and level the scores with two balls to spare. Sreesanth rose to the challenge, Misbah was run out off the last delivery and Pakistan then fluffed the bowl out, losing 3-0.
England v Netherlands (2009)
The opening match of the tournament, the founding fathers, the Home of Cricket. Dutch courage was called for but Netherlands managed the chase expertly and the final over began with seven needed. Stuart Broad dropped a return catch and then missed two run-out chances, including one off the final ball, allowing Ryan ten Doeschate and Edgar Schiferli to gleefully scamper the winning run from the overthrow.
The opening match of the tournament, the founding fathers, the Home of Cricket. Dutch courage was called for but Netherlands managed the chase expertly and the final over began with seven needed. Stuart Broad dropped a return catch and then missed two run-out chances, including one off the final ball, allowing Ryan ten Doeschate and Edgar Schiferli to gleefully scamper the winning run from the overthrow.
Australia v Pakistan (2010)
Defending champions Pakistan had one foot in the final, with Australia requiring 48 from 17 balls. Saeed Ajmal, who had 1 for 11 from 2.1 overs, and Mohammad Amir (3-0-21-1) would deliver them. Only a superhero called Mr Cricket could change the course of this one and Michael Hussey donned his cape to do just that, smashing 60 all told and finishing the match with 6, 6, 4, 6 off Ajmal in the final over.
Defending champions Pakistan had one foot in the final, with Australia requiring 48 from 17 balls. Saeed Ajmal, who had 1 for 11 from 2.1 overs, and Mohammad Amir (3-0-21-1) would deliver them. Only a superhero called Mr Cricket could change the course of this one and Michael Hussey donned his cape to do just that, smashing 60 all told and finishing the match with 6, 6, 4, 6 off Ajmal in the final over.
New Zealand v West Indies (2012)
West Indies were exuberant winners in 2012 but they almost didn't make it through the Super Eights. Defeat to New Zealand in the final round of matches would have sent them out but a direct hit from deep midwicket resulted in a run-out off the final ball and a tie; West Indies then successfully chased 18 to win the Super Over and "Gangnam Style" their way into the semi-finals.
West Indies were exuberant winners in 2012 but they almost didn't make it through the Super Eights. Defeat to New Zealand in the final round of matches would have sent them out but a direct hit from deep midwicket resulted in a run-out off the final ball and a tie; West Indies then successfully chased 18 to win the Super Over and "Gangnam Style" their way into the semi-finals.
Netherlands v Ireland (2014)
With the prize of playing in the main section of the tournament on the table, Netherlands went Sylhet bang to wipe out their fellow Associate, and leapfrog Zimbabwe too. Required to chase 190 in 14.2 overs to take their run rate above their rivals, Netherlands stunned Ireland with an unrelenting barrage to get there with three balls to spare. Jaws dropped and records tumbled.
With the prize of playing in the main section of the tournament on the table, Netherlands went Sylhet bang to wipe out their fellow Associate, and leapfrog Zimbabwe too. Required to chase 190 in 14.2 overs to take their run rate above their rivals, Netherlands stunned Ireland with an unrelenting barrage to get there with three balls to spare. Jaws dropped and records tumbled.
Alan Gardner is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @alanroderick