As Pakistan begins their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign against the United States of America today June 6, we take a look at the best games that they have played in the shortest format of the tournament. Here are their top 5 Pakistan T20WC games that fans will forever remember.
Of the five games that have been picked, the selection was made regarding how much that game mattered and impacted Pakistan.
5 Pakistan T20WC games
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | 2009 T20 World Cup | The Final | Lord’s, London
Easily the one game that everyone remembers. This final meant a lot to every Green Team fan because of what happened three months before the tournament. Pakistan scrapped through the first round before finding themselves in a must-win position after losing to Sri Lanka.
Younis Khan and his men win the remaining games, including a close semi-final against South Africa, to meet Sri Lanka once again. Abdul Razzaq led the bowling charts as PAK restricted Sri Lanka to 138-6. Shahid Afridi and Kamran Akmal led the batters as they won their first title.
Also Read: T20 World Cup 2009: A Gift Coming at the Right Time
India vs Pakistan | 2021 T20 World Cup | Group Stage | Dubai
The most hyped game in the world of cricket, PAK has never beaten India in any World Cup match, in ODI or T20I format. Babar Azam was leading his side for the first time in an ICC Men’s event.
But this game is one to be forever remembered by us friends. Shaheen Afridi was the star in the bowling, getting Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli. Kohli was dismissed for the first time against PAK in a T20 WC match. Chasing 152, Babar and Rizwan did not spare the Indian bowlers as they defeated their arch-rivals by brutal 10 wickets.
Pakistan vs Afghanistan | 2021 T20 World Cup | Group Stage | Dubai
Afghanistan had destroyed Scotland in their opening game with a 130-run win. Their spinners were the stars of the show. That was the challenge awaited for Pakistan in Dubai. Batted first, Afghanistan were 76-6 before M Nabi and Gulbadin Naib led them to 147-6.
Pakistan were always behind the run rate. Babar and Fakhar were making sure they didn’t fall too behind but eventually, they were 124-5 and 24 were needed in the final two overs. Asif Ali came, saw, conquered and broke Afghanistan’s hearts with four sixes to finish most brutally. Quite a memory to remember.
Pakistan vs South Africa | 2012 T20 World Cup | Super 8s | Colombo
A game which was won by two Umars. On a slow Colombo wicket, South Africa were restricted to 133-6. Spinners led the charge. But PAK were in deep trouble themselves, limping at 76-7 inside the 15th over.
Enter Umar Gul, who played a brilliant knock of 32 from 17 to guide PAK to an unlikely victory. Let’s not forget Umar Akmal, who played a gem of an innings of unbeaten 43 and stayed till the end.
New Zealand vs Pakistan | 2022 T20 World Cup | Semi Final | Sydney
The 2022 event saw Pakistan start with two close losses against India and Zimbabwe. They scrapped their way with wins in their remaining three games, and with the help of Netherlands, qualified for the knockouts. New Zealand meanwhile, were table toppers from the other group and were looking lethal.
Also Read: How in the world did Pakistan qualify for the Semi-Finals?
Came the first Semi-Final and NZ were restricted to 152-4. The opening pair of Babar and Rizwan had a poor tournament throughout, but in this game, they were back to their best. They added 105 for the opening stand, while Haris saw off the remaining runs as PAK won the game and qualified for the Final for the first time in 13 years.
What this game is most remembered for was the scenery, the fans cheering and singing “Dil Dil Pakistan” in unison and the celebrations that were made afterwards.
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