Top 10 Moments of the World T20 2016

The World T20 2016 witnessed some incredible games that generated a wide array of instances, emotions and reactions. It involved some competitive, thrilling and breathtaking moments till the final showdown. Every team had a roller coaster ride throughout the tournament. There were some nail bittng moments, crunch situatoins that changed the outcome, occasions where nerves directed the proceedings and oriented the outcome. Here we present you with the top 10 cricketing moments of the World T20 2016. 1. The nail biting finale: KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL – APRIL 03: Carlos Brathwaite of the West Indies celebrates hitting the winning runs during the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 Final match between England and West Indies at Eden Gardens on April 3, 2016 in Kolkata, India. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) In a dramatic thriller between England and West Indies, the Caribbeans emerged victorious as they marched their way to become WT20 champions for the second time. It all came down to the last over where West Indies needed 19 runs. What followed was an unbelievable four consecutive sixes by Carlos Brathwaite which triggered emphatic celebrations at the Eden Gardens. The entire team rushed to the centre to lift the men of the moment, Samuels and Brathwaite. The ‘champion’ celebrations continued in an energetic way. 2. Bangladesh choke in last over against India: Indian players including Virat Kohli (C) and Ashish Nehra (C/R) celebrate the wicket that led to the victory of India on the last ball by 2 runs during the World T20 cricket tournament match between India and Bangladesh at The Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on March 23, 2016. Bangladesh is chasing a target of 146 runs scored by India with a loss of 7 wickets. (Photo by MANJUNATH KIRAN/AFP/Getty Images) India scraped past Bangladesh in a nailbitting game with a one run victory. Chasing a modest total of 146, Bangladesh faltered from a winning position. With 2 runs required off 3 balls and both set batsmen on the crease, it seemed like a cakewalk. However both Mushfiqur and Mahmadullah got out on successive balls trying to go for glory shots. With 2 runs required off the last ball, Indian skipper Dhoni sprinted to the stumps after the batsmen got beaten and whipped of the bails. The big screen showed that Mustafizur was short of his crease as the entire Chinnaswamy Stadium erupted in joy. 3. Afghanistan shock West Indies: Afghanistan’s players celebrate after the wicket of West Indies’s batsman Andre Russell during the World T20 cricket tournament match between West Indies and Afghanistan at The Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on March 27, 2016. (Photo credit should read PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/Getty Images) Afghanistan scripted history as they defeated table-toppers West Indies in their final group game of the WT20. They had shown promise throughout the tournament and were finally able to replicate it into success against the Caribbeans. In a low scoring thriller, Afghanistan managed to defend 123 runs as they restricted the Windies to 117/8 with the spinners turning the table in their favour. Chris Gayle’s gesture of joining Afghanistan in their celebration was appreciated worldwide. 4. King Kohli & Royal Root: Virat Kohli Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Twitter) Virat Kohli displayed splendid form round the tournament as he rose to the occasion almost every time, India needed something special from him. His innings of 55 (37)* against Pakistan and 82 (51)* against Australia came when India were in a spot of bother and both the times he took India home singlehandedly. He also smashed 89 from 47 balls against the Windies in the semis which India lost unfortunately. He was eventually declared the Player of the tournament. Joe Root: Joe Root. (Photo Source: Twitter) Joe Root’s performance was as much royal for England. He started the tournament with a superb 48 (36) and followed it up with a magnanimous 83 from 44 balls as England chased a mammoth total against South Africa. Again in the finals, he was the standout performer for his team with an impressive 54 from 36 balls. Though England lost in the final, Root made a mark in the tournament. 5. Qualifiers draw great interest: DHARAMSALA, INDIA – MARCH 09: Oman celebrate their victory over Ireland during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup match between Ireland and Oman at the HPCA Stadium on March 9, 2016 in Dharamsala, India. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-IDI/IDI via Getty Images) The qualifying stage of the World T20 saw the associate nations come against each other with the table toppers proceeding to the Super 10s. Oman won their WT20 debut game against Ireland while Scotland and Netherland also achieved victories. Afghanistan managed to qualify for the Super 10s thus setting a benchmark for the associates in the tournament. The excellent performance of the associates also propelled legends, like Sachin and Lara to call for a rethink on the ICC’s approach towards Associate cricket. 6. Gayle Storm at the Wankhede: Mumbai, INDIA – MARCH 16 : Chris Gayle of the West Indies celebrates his century during the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 match between West Indies and England at the Wankhede stadium on March 16, 2016 in Mumbai, India. (Photo by Pal Pillai/IDI via Getty Images) Chris Gayle has earned a name in international cricket due to his gigantic batting. The best of his knocks are often referred to as the ‘Gaylestorm’ due to the expectations, enigma and the wild atmosphere it creates. Gayle didn’t fail against all the hype as he smashed a rollicking 46-ball ton against England as it rained sixes at the Wankhede. He hit 11 sixes in his innings. Even at the age of 36, he ceased to produce a dull moment. West Indies chased a daunting 183 quite comfortably with 11 balls to spare. 7. England chase record 230 against South Africa: Mumbai, INDIA – MARCH 18 : Joe Root of England bats during the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 match between South Africa and England at the Wankhede stadium on March 18, 2016 in Mumbai, India. (Photo by Pal Pillai/IDI via Getty Images) An exhilarating game of cricket with almost 460 runs scored. It was a run fest at the Wankhede. Batting first, South Africa set a mammoth total of 229/4 in 20 overs with the trio of Quinton de Kock 52 (24), Hashim Amla 58 (31) and JP Duminy 54 (28)* scoring sensational half centuries. Such a big total had never been chased in T20I history but England definitely had clear intentions. Jason Roy blasted 43 runs off 16 balls as he set the chase for England. Joe Root then played a magnificent knock of 83 from 44 balls as England went on to register the highest successful chase ever with 2 balls to spare. 8. India extend lead to 11-0 against Pakistan: Virat Kohli celebrates after skipper MS Dhoni hit the winning shot against Pakistan in the World T20 group stage game. (Photo Source: Getty Images) The Eden Gardens was packed and vibrant as it savoured the biggest rivalry in the cricketing world between India and Pakistan. In front of a 60,000 plus crowd, it was a spectacle that only a few other sporting showdowns can match. The game had been reduced to 18 overs per side affair due to rain. Pakistan batted first and failed to put a strong show as they could only manage 118/5. On the other hand, India lost 3 wickets with just 23 runs on the board as Pakistan sensed a victory. However, Virat Kohli played a blazing innings under pressure as he scored 55 from just 37 balls to guide India to victory. 9. Brilliant Spells: Mitchell Santner NAGPUR, INDIA – MARCH 15: Mitchell Santner of New Zealand celebrates taking the wicket of Rohi Sharma of India with Ross Taylor of New Zealand during the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 Group 2 match between New Zealand and India at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium on March 15, 2016 in Nagpur, India. (Photo by Christopher Lee-IDI/IDI via Getty Images) Defending a modest total of 126 against hosts India, Santner struck twice in his first over to get rid of Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina. On a turning track at Nagpur, Santner made the Indian batsmen dance to his tunes. He later came back to put the final nail into the coffin by getting Dhoni’s wicket. He finished the match with figures of 4 for 11 runs in his quota of 4 overs. Mustafizur Rahman Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman (2nd-L) celebrates a wicket with his teammates. (Photo by MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images) Mustafizur Rahman put up a scintillating show against the Kiwis in their last game of the WT20 2016. Though, Bangladesh lost, Mustafizur’s five-wicket haul didn’t fail to swing more praise in his favour. He achieved career best figures of 5 for 22 runs. He bowled splendidly on the Eden Gardens surface and was quite effective with his cutters. James Faulkner Australian team. (Photo Source: Twitter) James Faulkner also produced a special performance in the World T20 with the ball. Australia were up against Pakistan as the Asian giants were well on course of a superb victory being asked to chase 173 by the Aussies. It was Faulkner’s spell of 4-0-27-5 that changed the course of the game and made sure Australia win the game to keep their qualification hopes alive. These are not only his career best figures but also the best by an Australian in T20Is. 10. Breathtaking catches: Hardik Pandya bumped his face into the ground while taking the catch of Sharjeel Khan in the match against Pakistan at Eden Gardens. (Photo Source: Twitter) Everyone had seen Hardik Pandya’s ability on the field and this was another demonstration of his raw talent. Sharjeel Khan mishit a ball in the air, Pandya covered a lot of ground and took an excellent diving catch and also hurt himself in the process. It was a tremendous catch and was even lauded by Jonty Rhodes. Soumya Sarkar pulled up not one but two outstanding catches during the course of the tournament. The ball was well going over the ropes at mid wicket but Sarkar perfectly timed his leap to catch it, then tossed it before jumping inside to catch hold of it. The second instance was against India where he dived while running at deep square leg and grabbed a one handed catch to dismiss Hardik Pandya. Zeeshan Maqsood of Oman undoubtedly took the catch of the tournament. Stirling drilled the ball towards extra cover but failed to put it over the fielder, thanks to a ‘Superman effort’ by Maqsood as he leaped into the air to pull off an absolute blinder.