ICC T20 World Cup: Top 5 finals in the tournament history

Australia won the cup in 2021 [PC: Twitter]

How fast time flies! 

Pakistan beating India for the first time in a World Cup, Matthew Wade's sixes knocking Pakistan out and Australia lifting their first ever T20 World Cup; these scenes from last year are still fresh in our minds, and here we are only a week away from the eighth edition of the mega event. 

As we move closer to the World Cup, let's arrange the top five finals we have witnessed in the tournament's history.

5. 2014: Sri Lanka upset India, yet again!

Sri Lanka have a history of upsetting India on big occasions. Be it the Asia Cup, Champions Trophy, or the World Cup, the Lankan Lions always come hard at their Indian counterparts when it matters the most.

The 2014 edition of the World Cup saw Sri Lanka pipping their South-Asian rivals once again on the biggest stage. Batting first, India could post a paltry 130 on the board, falling prey to an extraordinary death-bowling masterclass from Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara. 

The target of a mere 131 was never going to bother a lineup having Dilshan, Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. As expected, the Lankans chased the target with 13 balls to spare. 

The reason to keep this final on this list is the way Sri Lanka overcame the final hurdle in their third attempt in a T20 World Cup. Pakistan beat them in 2009, and West Indies drubbed them in 2012; but in 2014, skipper Lasith Malinga ensured Sangakkara and Jayawardene didn't retire empty-handed. 

4. 2012: Marlon Samuels brings joy back to the Caribbean

The legendary West Indies captain Clive Lloyd lifted the ODI World Cup in 1979, and since then, replicating the same level of success had become next to impossible for his successors. 

But when Marlon Samuels entered the middle on the 2012 final day, he ensured the Caribbean Men didn't miss the opportunity this time.

A treacherous pitch was dished; the home bowlers were breathing fire. But these were not enough to stop the Calypso from scripting a win for ages. 

A majestic 78-run knock studded with some exquisite power-hitting and undying grit powered West Indies to 137, which their bowlers defended with ease, restricting Sri Lanka to 101.

3. 2010: Australia defeated in an ICC tournament final!!

Be it the ODI World Cups in 2003 and 2007 or the Champions Trophy tournaments in 2006 and 2009, the mighty Aussies didn't miss out on a single opportunity to take an ICC trophy Down Under. 

But in 2010, they faltered when it mattered the most and against whom? Their arch-rivals, England. 

A collective bowling effort restricted the Aussies to a modest total of 147. In response, Craig Kieswetter and Kevin Pietersen helped England hunt down the target without breaking a sweat. 

It took 35 years for the game's inventors to clinch a World Cup, but when they did it, they did it in a grand style. 

2. 2016: Carlos Braithwaite, Remember the name!

In another T20 World Cup final, Marlon 'clutch' Samuels played yet another blinder, hammering 85 off 66 in a chase of 156. 

But tell me honestly, how many of you recall Samules' knock whenever we talk about the 2016 World Cup final? I bet the number would be significantly less. That's because we all were amused by the sensational unbeaten 34-run cameo from Carlos Braithwaite. 

Even after Samuels' fantastic inning, West Indies needed 19 off the final over to win. Braithwaite decided there was no point in rotating the strike, as he smoked Ben Stokes for four consecutive maxima. What happened next? Agony for England, ecstasy for West Indies!

1. 2007: Incredible India become the inaugural T20 champions

Nothing can get bigger than an India-Pakistan final in an ICC World Cup. The inaugural edition witnessed two thrilling nail-biters between the arch-rivals, with India emerging victorious both times. 

The game was a proper blockbuster full of twists and turns. Every time Pakistan formed a partnership, India found a way to strike back. 

Who can forget Gautam Gambhir's immortal 75, Robin Uthappa hitting the bull's eye to get rid of Imran Nazir, Irfan Pathan's incredible three-fer and, of course, Sreesanth's iconic grab at short fine leg to make billions of Indians jump in joy? 

The scoop shot, which had fetched Misbah many runs in the tournament, backfired when Pakistan needed it the most. But that worked wonders for their opponents, ensuring jubilant celebrations and, more importantly, a peaceful sleep on the other side of the border. 

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2022: Can India rise from their ruins?