Daryl Mitchell hit a superb 72 Not Out off 47 balls to send New Zealand into the final of the 2021 World T20 from an improbable position against England.
Needing 57 from 24 balls the Blackcaps looked to be in trouble but aided by a brilliant cameo from Jimmy Neesham, 27 from 11 Balls, Mitchell hit three sixes in the final three overs as well as a four to get his side over the line.
In the aftermath of that innings, I reflected on the other great innings we’ve seen in the World T20 when sides have been chasing and tried to come up with a top five.
No.5-Shahid Afridi 54* ( 40) – World T20 Final 2009- Lord’s, England
In the second final of what is now a showpiece event, Pakistan faced Sri Lanka in front of a packed crowd at Lord’s as both searched for a major ICC event for the first time since the 1990’s.
Sri Lanka batted first and posted a modest 138/6 with Kumar Sangakkara, top scoring with 64 Not Out off 52 Balls.
Pakistan started well before losing two quick wickets and then ‘Boom Boom’ Afridi walked to the middle.
The Pakistan talisman showed all his class to hit 54 Not Out of 40 balls, reaching the target with 8 balls to spare and steer his country to their first ICC title since their 50 Over success of 1992.
NO.4 Virat Kohli 72* (44)- World T20 Semi-Final 2014 – Dhaka- Bangladesh
South Africa scored 172-4 off their 20 overs to leave a tough assignment for the Indians to advance to the final. Faf Du Plessis top scoring with 58 from 41 Balls.
No easy task for the Indians but Virat Kohli has proved over the years that there are few better in a run chase than him and on that day in Dhaka he produced a masterclass.
Coming in at No.3, he never looked troubled and hit 5 fours and 2 sixes in a stunning 72 Not Out from 44 balls and guided his side to their first T20 final since they had won the inaugural competition in 2007.
No.3 Joe Root 83 (44)- World T20 Super 10 Group Stage 2016 – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India
Not a semi-final or final but the magnitude of the achievement and also that it secured England’s place in the semis mean that it has to be included.
South Africa batted first and hit the highest score ever in the World T20, finishing on 229/4, Hashim Amla top scoring with 58 from 31 balls.
The task was incredibly daunting for England but thanks to Joe Root England were able to break the record again and with the biggest chase in the World T20 and the second highest ever in T20 internationals.
Root not known for his big-ball striking, was masterful scoring 83 from 44 balls hitting six fours and 4 sixes, to architect an improbable victory and one of England’s greatest.
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No.2 Lendl Simmonds 82* (51)- World T20 Semi-Final 2016- Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India
India batted first and with a boisterous home crowd behind them set the West Indies a mammoth 193 to win, Virat Kohli smashing 89 Not Out off 47 balls.
The West Indies required a record run chase in a knockout game to win and under extremely hostile conditions they got off to a terrible start, losing 2 wickets for 19 runs.
In walked Lendl Simmonds and aided by Johnson Charles and Andre Russell he produced a devastating innings, whacking 82 Not Out off 52 balls hitting 7 fours and 5 sixes to leave the Wankede Stadium silent and secure the West Indies place in the final.
No.1 Marlon Samuels 85* (66) and Carlos Braithwaite 34 (10)- World T20 Final 2016- Kolkata, India
Slightly cheating to have two but I think the extraordinary nature of the finish leaves it impossible not to include both.
England batted first and registered 155/9 of their 20 overs, Joe Root top scoring with 54 from 36 balls.
It was a modest total but England reduced the West Indies to 11-3 and when Bravo and Russell were removed the West Indies were left reeling.
Marlon Samuels remained calm and kept his side in the game hitting a fantastic 85 Not Out from 66 balls, the highest ever score in a World T20 final but approaching the last over the Windies still needed 19 and Samuels was off strike.
Odds heavily in England’s favour Ben Stokes stepped up to bowl and Carlos Braithwaite then made history.
The all-rounder proceeded to hit the next four balls for six, to give his side an unlikely win and record one of the all-time greatest finishes to a cricket game and secure the West Indies’ second World T20 trophy.
Archie Connolly Sport 