T20 World Cup 2007 Final

The 2007 T20 World Cup final was played between arch-rivals India and Pakistan at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on September 24, 2007.

The summit clash lived up to its billing, and in the end, Sreesanth held on to his nerves to grab Misbah-ul-Haq’s catch, who had gone for what proved to be an ill-fated scoop, to send a billion in a frenzy.

India pulled off a historic win by five runs, and a young team-led by the charismatic MS Dhoni were crowned the inaugural T20 World Cup champions.

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T20 World Cup Final 2007 - (The Background)

The 2007 T20 World Cup final was not the first time that India and Pakistan faced off against each other during that tournament.

In fact, 12 days before their epic showdown at Johannesburg, these two sides had given a trailer of what would eventually follow. The group-stage game ended in a thrilling tie as Misbah-ul-Haq failed to close it off after having pulled Pakistan from the brink in a 141-run chase.

The game looked done and dusted when Misbah smacked Sreesanth down the ground for a four at the start of the 20th over. But Sreesanth held his nerves and Misbah was eventually run out on a final delivery, leading to a tie. The tie-breaker was decided via bowl-out, where India beat Pakistan 3-0.

It proved to be a thrilling game but it did not have any bearing on the fortunes of either team as both had already qualified for the Super-8 stage.

India joined Group E, which included New Zealand, South Africa and England. Pakistan, on the other hand, joined Australia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Group F.

India and New Zealand qualified for the semi-finals from Group E, while Pakistan and Australia took up the remaining two spots from Group F.

Eventually, the stage was set for an encore of the clash of the Asian rivals as Pakistan and India saw off New Zealand and Australia respectively to book their spot for the summit clash.

2007 T20 World Cup Final- (The Climax)

The 2007 T20 World Cup final was quite a special event for both India and Pakistani fans as it served as a soothing balm to the scars inflicted on them by their respective teams following the disastrous 50-over World Cup campaign in the Caribbean earlier that year.

So, the stage was set! With new enhanced enthusiasm, and a fresh ray of hope for a brighter present and future, fans from both sides were ready to witness the thrilling finale, and by the end of it all, they were not left disappointed.

India were dealt with a body blow even before the first ball was delivered as swashbuckling opener Virender Sehwag got ruled out due to injury.

In his place, hard-hitting batter and part-time off-spinner, Yusuf Pathan was included in the side.

India won the toss and skipper Dhoni had no hesitation but to bat first- a formula that had worked 4/4 times for the Men in Blue- prior to that game.

Yusuf showed early intent but he was eventually dismissed for an 8-ball 15 after he skied one off Mohammad Asif.

India's 3, 4 & 5-Robin Uthappa, Yuvraj Singh, and Dhoni- had been the heartbeat of the batting-unit all through that 2007 T20 World Cup campaign, but the trio had an off-day in the final as they managed 8 (11), 14 (19), 6 (10) respectively.

However, Gautam Gambhir showcased his clutch genes and kept the scoreboard ticking courtesy of imperious strokeplay, especially against spin.

Gambhir smashed eight fours and a couple of sixes during his 54-ball 75, but when he was eventually dismissed by the ever-so impressive Umar Gul (3/28 in 4 overs), India still only had 130 runs on the board.

With two overs still to go, it was imperative for the Indians to get at least 150 runs to give their bowlers something to bowl at. And, just like in their Super-8 fixture against South Africa, young Rohit Sharma came to their rescue as the 20-year-old smashed two fours and a six to race his way to a 16-ball 30* and lift India's total to 157/5.

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T20 World Cup 2007 Final (Best Moments)

RP Singh gave India early strikes amid Imran Nazir’s onslaught:

A pivotal moment of the game took place in the final over when Mohammad Hafeez dropped Rohit's catch at the deep mid-wicket fence. It went for a six. The difference between the two sides in the end proved to be five runs.

A middling total of 158 on a very good batting surface. India knew they had to bowl really well. They also knew that it's a pressure game and Pakistan aren't a great chasing team. So, if they pick up early wickets, it could set the cat among the pigeons in that Pakistani dressing room.

And, RP Singh, like he had done throughout the tournament, did just that, as he dismissed both Mohammad Hafeez and Kamran Akmal in his opening two overs, while conceding just eight runs in the process.

The problem was that his partner, S Sreensath was having a forgettable day at the office thanks to swashbuckler Imran Nazir, who teed into the pacer by smashing him for 21 in his first over.

Nazir looked in menacing touch that afternoon as he raced his way to 33 off just 14 deliveries. However, a moment of brilliance in the field from Robin Uthappa in the sixth over led to his demise.

Nazir was late to react to a call from Younis Khan for a single after the latter off-drove Sreesanth. Uthappa sensed the opportunity, and hit 'bulls-eye' to send the dangerous batter packing.

Irfan Pathan strikes before Misbah-ul-Haq leads Pakistan’s revival:

This triggered a collapse as Joginder Sharma ended Younis' torturous stay at the crease- 24 off 24- before Irfan Pathan (3/16 in 4) got into the act by sending Shoaib Malik (8 off 17) and then Shahid Afridi for a golden duck to leave Pakistan on the brink at 77/6.

77/6 soon became 104/7 as Irfan castled Yasir Arafat. It was all down to Misbah-ul-Haq, who after having crawled his way to 17 off 24, finally decided to launch a counterattack.

And, the counterpunch came in the form of three massive sixes off Harbhajan Singh (0/36 in 3) in the 17th over, which was followed by Sohail Tanvir smashing Sreesanth for two more in the 18th.

Sreesanth eventually had his revenge as he bowled it full and straight, ratling Tanvir's stumps.

With just 20 needed off the last 12 deliveries, the penultimate over became mighty crucial, but RP, just as he had done against Australia in the semi-final, once again was equal to the task.

Singh (3-26 in 4) gave away just three runs off his first five deliveries besides uprooting the stumps of Umar Gul. However, a lucky outside edge off Mohammad Asif's bat went away for a boundary on the final ball, bringing Pakistan ever so close to the target.

Joginder bowls, Misbah scoops, India wins:

With 13 needed off 6, Dhoni opted to give Joginder Sharma the final over as Harbhajan, who had been taken apart by Misbah earlier in the match- was the only other option left.

Sharma delivered a wide and then a wide full-toss, which Misbah clobbered for a six straight over his head to bring the equation down to six off the last four deliveries.

The tension was mounting. Pakistan had in the bag, but then, Misbah decided to go cheeky. He went on one knee thinking Brett Lee is bowling to him, and scooped over fine-leg.

The only problem was it was Joginder and not Lee, and, so with no pace on the ball, it went up straight in the air. For the next few milliseconds, it looked like everything had stopped.

Even the commentary stopped as all eyes were set on the trajectory of the ball. And, as Sreesanth appeared on the screen, Ravi Shastri said 'Sreesanth takes it, India win', and the world of T20 cricket was never the same again.

Irfan Pathan was adjudged the 'Player of the Match' for his stupendous spell of 3/16 (4) while Shahid Afridi was picked as the 'Player of tournament'.

T20 World Cup 2007 - (Scorecard)