The best matches from the Super 12 stage: plenty of thrills, surprises, and classics
The best matches from the Super 12 stage: plenty of thrills, surprises, and classics
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 has made a compelling case for being the best tournament to date thanks to some outstanding performances and eye-catching outcomes that have produced top-notch entertainment throughout the whole competition.
West Indies were the major losers in Round 1’s upsets, which had their fair share. However, the Super 12 stage was always going to be when the tournament really caught fire, and that is exactly what happened.
Here, we examine the Super 12 stage’s top contests that will live long in the mind.
Netherlands v South Africa – The biggest T20 World Cup upset?
This is likely the biggest shock in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup’s history due to the severity of the upset in such a crucial match.
The Netherlands have demonstrated during the competition and in prior years that they are a talented white-ball team, therefore this is not meant to minimise their quality.
But given South Africa’s history in the tournament, this defeat ranks among the most discouraging World Cup exits for the country.
They controlled the Dutch in the opening innings, and despite a late surge of runs, it still appeared unlikely that one of the tournament’s most destructive batting lineups wouldn’t chase down 158.
Every every one of South Africa’s top six players scored in the double digits, yet they still fell short, says a lot. The batting was at best tentative despite the excellent bowling. And there were great celebrations from both the Dutch and the Pakistani and Bangladeshi supporters who were watching. What a contest, what a conclusion, and what a time!
India v Pakistan – Kohli heroics in last-ball thriller
India’s victory over Pakistan will go down in history as one of the best World Cup matchups ever, not simply one of the most exciting World Cup matches ever.
The first innings was disrupted by early Powerplay wickets, the middle order rallied to set a respectable but manageable mark, and the chase was tightly contested.
However, Virat Kohli’s stunning and match-winning innings, with some of the shots he played in his late flurry defying cricket logic, is what elevates this contest to the top match of the Super 12 round.
In any case, 82 unbeaten from 53 balls to win the game is a fantastic knock. However, the way he did it was absolutely historic.
Ireland v England – One-sided rivalry turned on its head
Ireland’s victory in this game is a major occasion for the sport, regardless of the circumstances. England will regret the weather and their inability to advance past the needed pace when they had the chance.
The Irish previously defeated their neighbours in the 50-over World Cup match, and now they can add a T20I victory to their resume.
In the first innings, captain Andrew Balbirnie scored a masterful 62, and some accurate bowling, most notably from Joshua Little, prevented England from completing the successful pursuit.
Pakistan v Zimbabwe – Raza inspires huge upset
Zimbabwe’s epic victory over Pakistan was a remarkable game and a moment of the highest drama.
After Zimbabwe had fought their way to 130 at the halfway point, the outcome seemed improbable. The middle order for Pakistan was destroyed by the superb Sikandar Raza’s triple-strike, however, setting up a thrilling conclusion.
And it was heartbreak for Pakistan off the final ball for the second straight encounter. This time, Pakistan was defeated with the bat as Brad Evans successfully held on to 11 off the last over.
Pakistan needed three runs to win off the final ball after a wicket off the penultimate ball, but they couldn’t get back for the second run as a run out ignited joyous scenes in Perth. Cricket during the World Cup at its most best.
Bangladesh v Zimbabwe – Tigers survive extreme last-ball drama
For Zimbabwe, it again came down to the final ball, but things didn’t quite go their way this time.
Zimbabwe came close to defeating Bangladesh by chasing 151 after Najmul Hossain Shanto had anchored the first innings, largely due to a stunning 64 from Sean Williams.
Williams was run out in the penultimate over, and Brad Evans was caught in the deep off the second ball of the final over, just as it appeared that the African team was going to achieve yet another fantastic triumph.
With five required off the final two balls to win it, four byes and a six immediately swung it back in Zimbabwe’s favour. However, a stumping caused the equation to shift to the penultimate ball of the innings. Huge cheers emerged from the Bangladesh camp when they successfully handled the last ball, but even if that had been the outcome, the match would still have ended spectacularly. Even more dramatic was when the keeper caught the ball before it reached the stumps, resulting in a no-ball and forcing the players back onto the field.
Zimbabwe was offered the most unexpected of second opportunities as the equation was now down to four to win, but a huge swing and miss guaranteed Bangladesh could celebrate once more. Extraordinary.
Australia v Afghanistan – Hosts given an almighty scare
In the end, Australia’s victory in this game wasn’t enough to advance them to the semi-finals. However, the tournament hosts faced off against Afghanistan in a nerve-wracking and entertaining match with qualification still potentially in the balance.
Glenn Maxwell’s brilliant 54* gave the home audience something to cheer about and added some quality to the competition. Furthermore, Australia managed the second innings brilliantly after reaching 168/8, giving the victory a seeming ease.
Although Afghanistan only fell short by four runs, Rashid Khan’s spectacular show of hitting at the end of the game turned it into a thriller. He finished on 48* from just 23 balls.
India v South Africa – Quality and class as Proteas edge it
The fans in Perth were treated to a thrilling match between India and South Africa, two of the strongest teams in the world.
India’s first innings was saved by Suryakumar Yadav’s brilliance; he scored a magnificent 40-ball 68 to lead India to 133/9 and earn his promotion to the top of the T20I Batting Rankings. Only two other batters, including Rohit Sharma, who had just 15 points, were able to reach double digits.
The match was decided by excellent bowling, especially from Mohammed Shami, who went for just 13 off of four overs.
However, the Proteas were welcomed home by wealthy 1950s from Aiden Markram and David Miller. They ought to have advanced to the semifinals with that performance, but the Dutch had other plans.
Australia v New Zealand – The defining match of the tournament?
Australia and New Zealand’s Super 12 encounter was one of the most lopsided, but it was also one of the best because of how much it affected the rest of the competition.
With 42 runs in just 16 powerplay attempts, Finn Allen was merciless and forced Australia to entirely reconsider their strategy with Mitchell Starc later in the group round. Additionally, Devon Conway’s unbroken 92 from 58 deliveries was outstanding.
Australia collapsed when chasing 200/3. The tournament’s hosts were defeated by a margin that was always going to be difficult to overcome after being bowled out for just 111. In the end, it was this defeat that brought an end to their title defence, as England beat them on net run rate.
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