ICC T20 World Cup 2012: West Indies Beat Sri Lanka — Marlon Samuels 78, WI's First T20 WC Title
The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2012 was the fourth edition, hosted by Sri Lanka in September-October 2012. West Indies won the tournament for the first time, defeating Sri Lanka by 36 runs in the final at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on 7 October 2012. West Indies scored 137 for 6 off 20 overs (Marlon Samuels 78 off 56 balls — the standout individual innings of the tournament). Sri Lanka, batting second, were bowled out for 101 in 18.4 overs. Shane Watson was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament. Marlon Samuels was Player of the Match. Shane Shillingford of West Indies and Virender Sehwag of India were the top scorers in their respective groups. The tournament was Sri Lanka's home event and their supporters expected a home win.
The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2012 was the fourth edition, hosted by Sri Lanka in September-October 2012. It featured 12 teams and was played entirely in Sri Lanka across three venues. Sri Lanka, as hosts, were strong favourites — they had won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002 (shared with India) and were a powerful limited-overs side. West Indies, meanwhile, were a team with exceptional individual T20 talent — particularly in the batting order — but had not previously won the T20 World Cup.
The Final — Samuels' 78 and Sri Lanka's Collapse
In the final at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on 7 October 2012, West Indies batted first and scored 137 for 6 off 20 overs. Marlon Samuels was the cornerstone: he scored 78 off 56 balls — an innings that combined caution in the first half with explosive hitting in the slog overs. He hit 2 sixes and 9 fours. Sri Lanka, chasing 138, were bowled out for 101 in 18.4 overs — 36 runs short. West Indies' bowling was tight: Sunil Narine, Samuel Badree, and Dwayne Bravo took wickets. The dismissals of Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, and Kumar Sangakkara in quick succession proved fatal for Sri Lanka. West Indies won their first ICC T20 World Cup title.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the ICC T20 World Cup 2012?
West Indies won the ICC T20 World Cup 2012 — their first-ever T20 World Cup title — defeating host nation Sri Lanka by 36 runs in the final at Colombo on 7 October 2012. Marlon Samuels scored 78 off 56 balls and was Player of the Match. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 101 chasing 138.