Jos Buttler’s century against Sri Lanka was a masterpiece while Scotland pulled off the biggest upset against Bangladesh… Sportsmail picks the HIGHS AND LOWS from this year’s T20 World Cup
- The T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and Oman have come to an end
- Australia were crowned winners after they beat New Zealand in Sunday’s final
- Sportsmail picks out the highs and lows from this year’s thrilling tournament
After 12 first round games, 30 Super 12 matches and three knockouts, the T20 World Cup has finally come to an end.
It was Australia who lifted the trophy after Sunday night’s final, beating New Zealand by eight wickets with Mitch Marsh’s 77 not out helping Justin Langer’s side to win with just seven balls to spare.
Sportsmail’s Lawrence Booth selects his tournament highs and lows…
Sportsmail picks out the highs and lows of the T20 World Cup which was won by Australia
BEST INNINGS
Jos Buttler’s century against Sri Lanka – the tournament’s only hundred – was a masterpiece on a tough Sharjah wicket against razor-sharp spinners. And it made England the first team to win a floodlit game after being put in to bat.
Liam Livingstone described the innings as the work of a ‘genius’ – and no one disagreed.
Jos Buttler’s century against Sri Lanka was a masterpiece on a tough Sharjah wicket
BEST CAMEO
Pakistan’s Asif Ali seemed to have nailed it with four sixes in an over off Aghanistan seamer Karim Janat in Dubai.
Then came Jimmy Neesham’s takedown of Chris Jordan as New Zealand stunned England in the semi-final, followed next evening by Australian Matthew Wade’s 17-ball 41 to break Pakistan hearts.
MOST THRILLING SIGHT
Shaheen Shah Afridi cruising in with the new ball for Pakistan, especially against India and Australia, when he removed Rohit Sharma and Aaron Finch for golden ducks with his left-arm inswing.
In those moments, the World Cup never felt more alive.
Shaheen Shah Afridi (left) removed Rohit Sharma and Aaron Finch for golden ducks
BEST SPELL
It’s hard to look past Namibia’s big blond left-arm seamer Ruben Trumpelmann, who had Scotland two for three (both runs from wides) after the first over in Abu Dhabi.
But Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan pushed him close against Pakistan – even if its mesmeric brilliance wasn’t reflected by figures of 4-0-26-2.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
India’s batsmen were too timid in their defeats by Pakistan and New Zealand, while Bangladesh’s could barely get the ball off the square.
Defending champions West Indies, meanwhile, had all grown old together, and not very gracefully.
India’s batsmen were too timid in their defeats by Pakistan and New Zealand
CRUELLEST BLOW
It was tough to watch Jason Roy being helped off the field in Sharjah after tearing a calf muscle during England’s defeat by South Africa.
And it had consequences for the semi-final: promoted to open, the out-of-form Jonny Bairstow managed just 13 off 17 balls, while Jos Buttler missed Roy’s irrepressible energy.
It was a terrible time for England to lose one of the embodiments of their top-order aggression.
BEST GAME
Scotland’s first-round defeat of Bangladesh remained the World Cup’s biggest upset, while England fans won’t forget the demolition of Australia.
There was, though, only one last-ball finish: Bangladesh’s Mahmudullah needed to hit a four against West Indies but was helpless against Andre Russell’s perfect yorker.
BIGGEST ANTICLIMAX
The toss. If you won it, you had a very good chance of victory.
Afghanistan were the only team who preferred to bat first, while Pakistan chose to do so against Scotland and Namibia.
Otherwise, the chasing team had too much of an inbuilt advantage, especially in the floodlit games when dew could be a factor.