Cricket Classics - Part III : 2016 ICC T20 World Cup Final

Hello, fellow Sports Enthusiasts,

Cricket is not just a sport between two teams; it's a battle of skills, strategy, and capitalizing on clutch moments. Although the game has transformed over the decades, it has never failed to impress us or leave us with unforgettable moments.

So, through this series, I will present you some of the most iconic cricket matches that have made fans jump out of their seats. Let's remember those legendary games once a week.

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" Carlos Brathwaite! Remember the name! History for the West Indies!"

Those words from Ian Bishop are still echoing in my ears! What a moment! What a final that was. Carlos Braithwaite of West Indies became a worldwide sensation by showcasing a last-over thriller against England to lift the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup trophy. It was the time for West Indies players and fans to celebrate and dance around the ground. Earlier that day, they also won the Women's ICC T20 World Cup. So, what a day it was for them.

So, let's talk about this classic 2016 ICC T20 World Cup Final, in the third episode!

ss from YTube

The 6th edition of the ICC T20 World Cup was organized to be held in India from 8 March to 3 April 2016. The tournament was filled with some thrilling and surprising encounters. 16 teams, 10 full members & 6 Associate teams, were eligible in the tournament. Anyway, in the First Round, the last 08 teams of the rankings competed in two groups and the top were advanced to the Super 10 stage.

There were 2 groups in the Super 10, and the best 04 teams were advanced into the knockouts. So, in the semi-final 01, England defeated the Kiwis by 07 wickets to book a ticket at the final. WI defeated the host India by 7 wickets to take the other spot.

So, all set for the final at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on April 3, 2016.

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West Indies came as a very promising team under Darren Sammy, reuniting with top guns like Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Marlon Samuels, Samuel Badree, etc. But the England team was rebuilding something extraordinary at the moment under Eoin Morgan, with an inexperienced squad, but rather aggressive than we saw earlier. The rhythm they built at that time made a huge impact on England's Cricket future, what we are witnessing now.

Anyway, the day was magical. On a slowish pitch, England started the batting. They lost both the openers in the first two overs. With a fifty from Root and some cameos from Butler and Willy at the end, a challenging total of 155/9 was set.

ss from YTube

The start from the WI was not what they expected either. Root got both Gayle and Johnson Charles in the second over. It was once again Marlon Samuels who anchored the innings from one end, and took WI near to the winning margin. His 85* off 66 balls, kept them in the game, while only two other players got 2 digits scores.

27 needed off the final two, and Jordan restricted the penultimate over to just 8 runs. So, the historic over was given to Ben Stokes. 19 runs off the final over to get or to defend. So, what followed?

Four consecutive sixes in the first four balls. A dramatic end to seal another trophy for West Indies. It was one hell of a moment for Ben Stokes and England, who lost the maiden championship at the last moment.

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See you at the next episode!! You can always suggest a match to discuss about in the next episode.

src - 2016 ICC World Twenty20 final

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Best Regards!