The first ever International T20 match in the History of modern Cricket was played way past on Feb, 17 2005 between Australia and New Zealand on a Kiwi soil. Since then, cricket fanatics have witnessed the most electrifying, over exciting and thrilling 243 contests of the most latest and modern version of Cricket. Pakistan heads the list of playing and winning the most number of T2O matches (53p/32w) in a seven years history of T20 Cricket.
The Cricket lovers all around the world have also observed 3 unforgettable T20 World Cups, the Inaugural Cup been held in 2007 on the African Soil, lifted by the Indian team under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni beating Pakistan in the final. Shahid Afridi turned out to be the Man of the Tounament in the inaugural cup, whereas Matthew Hayden and Umar Gul bearing out to be the top batsman and bowler respectively. It is generally remembered by the Pakistanis because of Misbah ul Haq’s nail biting crucial innings that went in vain just because of a stupid shot throwing the cup in Indian hands.
However, a full success story of the opening tournament set the benchmark for the next T20 World Cups with an increasingly fan following and passion about the latest format of the game among the cricket followers all around the world.
Two years later the occasion came for the 2nd T20 World Cup in England, probably the best and most unforgettable cricket tournament ever played in the brief history of T20 Cricket. Pakistan lifted the cup beating the Proteas in the Semis and Sri Lanka in the Big Final on 21st June at the Home of Cricket Lord’s, the crowd puller Boom Boom Afridi showing his magic in both the crucial games of the tournament, the most critical games of his entire cricketing life, in fact. Fast bowler Umar Gul like before remained the highest wicket taking bowler in this edition of the T20 World Cup and the highest run getter turned out to be Tillakaratne Dilshan, the inventor of Upper cut.
The 3rd and the most recent T20 World Cup was held in the Caribbean in 2010 where Pakistan defended the title successfully until they were beaten by Aussies or one can say stunned by the pure hitting by Mr. Cricket Mike Hussey in the Semi Final. England turned out to be the new champions of the T20 cricket defeating Australia by 7 wickets at Kensington Oval, Barbados in the Final. This was also the first ever ICC tournament won by England.
Now, few moths are left to eyewitness the most enthralling 4th edition of the ICC World T20 subjected to be held in Sri Lanka between September 18 and October 7, 2012, a small beautiful Island located at the South on a World map. This will be the first World Twenty20 tournament held in an Asian country. The tickets are already on sale ranging from as low as $0.25 to $2.5 for the group matches and $45 for the final. 27 matches will be played between 12 International teams at 3 different venues i.e. Pallekele, Colombo and Hambantota.
Till now, Pakistan has proved to be the most successful team in the World cups of the shortest format of the game winning 12 games out of 20 games played at an impressive winning percentage of 60. Shahid Afridi tops the list of maximum wicket taker in the World Cups with 27 wickets, whereas Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka leads the list of highest run getter scoring 1,045 runs.
We wish our team Good luck for the upcoming mega contest, and pray that they come home lifting the World Cup once again proving the world our brilliance, excellence and ever lasting supremacy in the game of Cricket.