The T20 World Cup is the highest-profile international tournament in T20 cricket. The tournament has been held every few years since 2007 and has been won by a number of different teams over its 15-year history. The most recent installment of the competition took place last autumn in Australia and New Zealand.
The 2022 T20 World Cup came in for criticism from a number of different parties, primarily for the decision to host the tournament during the rainy season down under. No less than four of the tournament’s matches – including hosts Australia against rivals England – were called off. The competition looked as if it was descending into somewhat of a farce, but everything worked out in the end.
According to online sportsbook Bovada, England was the favorite for glory heading into the tournament, and the English didn’t disappoint. Despite losing to Ireland in the group stages, England would go on to make the final four, where they would first thrash India, before defeating Pakistan in the final.
The success was England’s second at the T20 World Cup, but who are the other winners of the tournament? Let’s take a look.
2007 – India
The inaugural edition was held in South Africa in 2007 and it was India that emerged victorious after an emphatic win over arch-rivals Pakistan in the final. Captain MS Dhoni led from the front scoring a half-century in the first innings and taking three crucial wickets in the second. He was well supported by Yuvraj Singh, who hit six sixes in a single over against England earlier in the tournament.
2009 – Pakistan
Two years later, Pakistan won the tournament in England. After a close semi-final victory over South Africa, they met Sri Lanka in the final, but this time, Pakistan would come out on top, taking the trophy with a storming 138-run victory. Captain Younis Khan top-scored for the side with an innings of 73 and was ably supported by Abdul Razzaq, who picked up three wickets.
2010 – England
In 2010, the tournament moved to the Caribbean, and it was England who picked up their first crown. They beat eating Australia in the final by seven wickets. Paul Collingwood and Eoin Morgan starred in the run chase while Stuart Broad was Man of the Match with 4/17 in the first innings.
2012 – West Indies
The Windies were the next to hold aloft the trophy when the tournament returned to Sri Lanka in 2012. Led by Dwayne Bravo, the Caribbeans brushed aside the hosts in the final with a clinical 36-run victory. But it was Marlon Samuels who was the hero of the day, scoring a magnificent 78 runs to help his side post a competitive total.
2014 – Sri Lanka
Two years later and Sri Lanka were out for revenge. They had reached the final in two of the last three tournaments, however, were on the losing side on both occasions. They broke their duck in 2014.
Captained by Lasith Malinga, the Sri Lankans managed to win the title by beating India in a thrilling final. Mahela Jayawardene was the star of the show, scoring 65 in the first innings to set up the victory. Ajantha Mendis also impressed, taking three wickets in the second innings to help secure the win.
2016 – West Indies
The tournament headed to India and it was the West Indies who prevailed, winning the trophy for the second time. The Windies and England were the two most impressive sides at the tournament and duly advanced to the final four along with hosts India and New Zealand.
In the first semifinal, England comfortably knocked off the Kiwis thanks to a spellbinding 78 from Jason Roy. In the second semi, the Windies stunned the tournament hosts, reaching the target of 196 with two balls to spare.
In the final, it looked as though England had the trophy wrapped up. Ben Stokes was bowling and had 19 runs to defend. However, the English didn’t bank on Carlos Brathwaite. He took centre stage, hitting four consecutive sixes in the final over to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Earlier in the game, Marlon Samuels slapped a brilliant 85 not out, which put his side on the path to victory.
2021 – Australia
Australia beat New Zealand by 8 wickets to claim their maiden ICC T20 World Cup in 2021 edition played at UAE.
2022- England
England beat Pakistan by 5 wickets in Australia to win their second Twenty20 world championship after 2009.