ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2007 (Inaugural): India Beat Pakistan by 5 Runs — Joginder Sharma's Last Over
The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2007 was the inaugural (first) edition, held in South Africa in September 2007. India won the first T20 World Cup, defeating Pakistan by 5 runs in the final at the Wanderers, Johannesburg on 24 September 2007. India scored 157 for 5; Pakistan were restricted to 152 for 5. Joginder Sharma bowled the final over with Pakistan needing 13 runs — Misbah-ul-Haq was caught at short fine leg attempting a scoop off the penultimate ball, ending Pakistan's hopes. Earlier in the tournament, Yuvraj Singh hit 6 sixes in one over off Stuart Broad in the group stage (vs England). Player of the Tournament was Shahid Afridi. India captain: MS Dhoni. Pakistan captain: Shoaib Malik.
The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2007 was the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup, held in South Africa in September 2007. India, captained by the 26-year-old MS Dhoni, were not initially seen as favourites. They qualified for the final by beating Pakistan and New Zealand in the Super 8s. Pakistan, captained by Shoaib Malik, reached the final having also gone unbeaten before that stage. The India-Pakistan final at the Wanderers, Johannesburg was one of the most watched cricket matches in history.
Yuvraj's 6 Sixes and the Final
Earlier in the tournament, Yuvraj Singh hit 6 sixes in one over off Stuart Broad against England — the second instance of 6 sixes in an over in international cricket (after Sobers in 1968 and Herschelle Gibbs in 2007 ODI). In the final, India scored 157 for 5. Pakistan needed 13 from the last over — bowled by Joginder Sharma, a relatively inexperienced pace bowler. Misbah-ul-Haq had been playing a brilliant counter-attacking innings, but attempted a scoop off the penultimate ball of the match and was caught at short fine leg. Pakistan finished on 152 for 5 — India winning by 5 runs. Shahid Afridi was named Player of the Tournament.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the 2007 T20 World Cup Final remembered, and who bowled the last over?
The inaugural ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final in 2007 is remembered for its dramatic finish. Pakistan needed 13 from the last over; MS Dhoni chose Joginder Sharma — an inexperienced bowler — to bowl it. Misbah-ul-Haq was batting brilliantly and appeared capable of winning the match. He attempted a scoop on the penultimate ball and was caught at short fine leg. India won by 5 runs. Yuvraj Singh's 6 sixes in one over off Stuart Broad against England in the group stage was the other iconic moment of the tournament. India's win launched a cricket boom in India and helped accelerate the birth of the IPL in 2008.