England won by 5 wkts
PLAYER OF THE MATCH : Sam Curran
Batter
Bowler
It was immense pleasure bringing you this wonderful tournament. A comp that captains did not have to worry much about dew, a comp that didn't put too much focus on toss, a comp that kept all departments of the game equally interested. Looking forward to much more with a lot of promise, it's us singing off at Cricbuzz. Stay healthy!
Adelaide Oval, 2015 - Rubel Hossain lied flat on the ground in his celebration as he knocked over James Anderson. Bangladesh had just knocked England out of the World Cup. England flew home, sat down and got serious about their future. With Eoin Morgan at the helm, they decided attack is the best form of defence. They gave the licence to the players and made theirroles clear with surety of theirspots. Go out, attack and show no mercywas the message. That message was taken so seriously that the world started taking notice. England were no longer looked down because they were scoring 400 runs for fun. Soon this attitude got into the T20 game. With Buttler, Stokes establishing themselves into big match players they looked dangerous. They found all-rounders who can win with both bat and ball. They came so close to a title in 2016, but did get their hands on a World Cup in 2019. England were the team to beat in white-ball cricket. Morgan did step away but had set a culture. A culture that opponents feared and put extra pressure on themselves since they knew they needed extra 15-20 runs because England bat deep, sometimes all 11 players can hit crucial sixes.
Buttler took over, few faces changed but the mindset didn't. He led the show from the front. His ruthlessness at the top often paved the way, but the likes of Liam Livingstone ensured opponents still had that fear in them while Ben Stokes was their glue in tough times. Livingstone, Moeen, Curran, Stokes, Woakes - that's five all-rounders at the luxury of Buttler and that depth made them invincible. To miss a few main players to injury and still be crowned World Champions is some doing.
Pakistan came so close to getting their second title, but deep down they know they need more batting depth to cushion Shadab Khan at No. 6. A solid, reliable power-hitter could help this team achieve wonders, but to achieve all that they did having lost their first two games of the comp is commendable. To have that belief and to work in unison is what has got them here. Pakistan make you take notice with their bowling depth though. They fought like warriors with a modest total and you can never discount them with the ball because they have pace, bounce, height, movement and you name it all that troubles a batter. Maybe not this time, but they will be in the reckoning again.
We've had some outstanding moments in this World Cup and here's Raju 'Poet' Peethala taking us down the memory lane.
The T20 beast; Has been a real feast
India Pakistan MCG
Virat Kohli at the G
Rain follows Melbourne
Upsets at the Blundstone
Finn Allen takes it on
Phillips claims the flying ball
Junior Curran five-for
Perth is no neighbour
The Dutch do a favour
Meiyappan hat-trick
Afghanistan on a losing streak
Shadab Khan, Pakistan
Zimbabwe win by single run
Rilee Rossouw and that ton
Alex Hales, Adelaide Oval
India mess up another semi-final
Fielding blips, into the trees
Big grounds, running threes
South Africa and the story of chokes
Final at the MCG
Pressure akin to ECG
Sam Curran is a prodigy
Carlos Brathwaite Eden Gardens
Ben Stokes redepmtion rumbles
**Stats from Deepu Narayanan**
** England become the first team to simultaneously hold both ODI and T20 World Cups
** The last 11 knockout games in T20 World Cups, chasing side has won the match on all 11 instances.
** England in T20 World Cup 2022
Bat Avg 29.55 | Bowl Avg 19.13
Run rate 7.41 | Eco rate 7.23
Boundary% scored 13.8 | Boundary% conceded 12.0
** Player of the tournament in T20 World Cups
Shahid Afridi
Tillakaratne Dilshan
Kevin Pietersen
Shane Watson
Virat Kohli (2)
David Warner
Sam Curran
Curran is the first specialist bowler to win the award.
Buttler gets the trophy and the England team are dancing in their celebrations on the dias as the confetti and the fireworks go off in the background. Everyone take turns to lift the cup now before they walk to pose in front of the champions board. Like they always do, Moeen and Adil Rashid move away before the champagne is sprayed. Now the players are joined by their families. They are going to take turns to pose with that trophy. It's one big happy family out there.
Jos Buttler | England captain: It is (the icing on the cake). To win the T20 World Cup now, immensely proud of everyone here. It has been a long journey and few changes but we are reaping the rewards of how we have played in the last few years. It's been a fantastic tournament. We went to Pakistan before coming here, which was a valuable time for the group and this felt a long way after the Ireland match but the character we showed from thereon in must-win games is amazing. He (Matty Motts) has fitted in really well. We have got a few Australians in the coaching staff with us in this tournament and he has led the coaching staff really well, gives the players great freedom. Huge swing in the game, that was a fantastic over from Adil. He has been outstanding for us in the last three games, just the guy who makes things happen and his performance was outstanding. When you hit the right length there was a little bit of movement and they were obviously bowling at a good pace, not easy at all. We managed to get away to a start which controlled the run-rate and we bat deep as well. And that man again, Ben Stokes is there at the end. He is the ultimate competitor in anything he does and has the experience to bank on as well. He timed it perfectly, the impetus that he and Moeen Ali had just took it away from Pakistan.
England receive their winners medals.
Babar Azam | Pakistan captain: Congratulations to England, they deserve to be champions and fought well. We felt like home here, got great support at every venue. Thanks for your support. Yes, we lost the first two games but how we came in the last four games was incredible. I just told the boys to play our natural game, but we fell 20 runs short and the boys fought well with the ball. Our bowling is one of the best attacks in the world. Unfortunately Shaheen's injury put us off, but that's part of the game.
Pakistan now get their runners-up medals.
Sam Curran gets the award for Player of the Match. Now Shivnarine Chanderpaul hands Sam Curran the trophy for Player of the tournament.
Match officials get their medallions.
Presentation time!
Sam Curran | Player of the Match | Player of the Series: I don't think I should be getting this, I think the way Ben Stokes played there, to get a fifty in a final and he does it so many times for us, he should get this (PoTM.). We are going to enjoy this occasion and it is very special. Big square boundaries, so I knew my into the wicket type bowling would work and try to make them hit square of the wicket. We felt the wicket was not as good as we thought it would be. It was nipping around everywhere and it was challenge to chase. I go into the wicket with my slower balls and try to keep the batsmen guessing. We are World Champions, how good. Incredibly special (to have Stokes). He is someone I look up to and always turns up when the team needs him, people question him but there's no questioning him, he's the man. To be honest, I am little bit lost for words, it has been a great tournament. First time for me in a World Cup and we have won it. Amazing crowd. I wanted to be adaptable coming into the tournament. I haven't bowled much at the death before and that is one area I want to keep improving. I want to improve my batting though it is tough to get to bat in this line-up. How good is it to be a World Champ (smiles)!