T20 International has witnessed many of the best last-over thrillers in cricket compared to other formats of cricket. Be it chasing big totals or defending low scores, nail-biting finishes and last-over thrillers always provide much-needed entertainment to the audience. So, in this article, we will discuss 'Top 10 last over thrillers in T20 International'.
1. India Vs. Pakistan
India faced Pakistan in a group-stage game in the 2022 World T20. Batting first, Pakistan piled up 159 runs on a tricky pitch, with Shan Masood and Iftikhar Ahmed smacking fifties. In reply, India was in all sorts of trouble, with the score reading 31-4 in the 7th over. However, then Kohli put a 113-run partnership along with Hardik Pandya. With 28 runs required off eight balls, Kohli held his nerve and smashed two sixes back to back. In the last over, Kohli smacked a six, and with one run required of the last ball, Ashwin finished the game with a hit over mid-off.
2. West Indies Vs. England
England faced West Indies in the finals of the 2016 World T20. Batting first, England piled up 155 runs on a tricky pitch, with Joe Root smacking a fifty. In reply, West Indies was in all sorts of trouble, with the score reading 11-3. In the last over, West Indies required 19 off the last six balls. Braithwaite held his nerve and smacked four sixes back to back and took them over the line.
3. India Vs. Bangladesh
India faced Bangladesh in a league-stage game of the 2016 World T20. Batting first, India piled up 146 runs on a tricky pitch, with Suresh Raina smacking a thirty. In reply, Bangladesh paced the innings well, with the score reading 136-6 in the 19th over. In the last over, Bangladesh required 11 off the last six balls. Mushfiqur smacked two boundaries on the second and third ball of the over. However, they lost two wickets in the next two balls, and with two required off the last ball, Dhoni ran out the batter on the last ball.
4. Australia Vs. Sri Lanka
Australia faced Sri Lanka in a T20I game in 2017. Batting first, Australia piled up 168 runs on a tricky pitch, with Aaron Finch smacking 43 runs. In reply, Sri Lanka paced the innings well. With the score reading 151-3 in the 17 over, Turner then scalped two wickets in the 18th over, and it all came down to six runs off the last over. With one required off the last ball, Kapugedera held his nerve to finish things off.
5. England Vs. Netherlands
England faced the Netherlands in a World T20 game in 2009. Batting first, England piled up 162 runs on a tricky pitch, with Luke Wright smacking a fifty. In reply, the Netherlands paced the innings well. With the score reading 146-6 in the 18 over, England's victory looked certain. It all came down to the last over, where seven runs were required off the last over. Broad then dropped a catch in the third ball, and when two was required off the last ball, Broad overthrew, and the Dutch batters ran two.
6. India Vs. Bangladesh
India faced Bangladesh in the finals of the Nidahas T20 Series. Batting first, Bangladesh piled up 166 runs on a tricky pitch, with Sabbir Rahman smacking a fifty. In reply, India was in sort of trouble with the score reading 133-5 in the 18 over. India required 34 runs in the last two overs. With five runs needed off the last ball, Karthik held his nerve and smacked a six on the final ball. Dinesh Karthik played a cameo of 29 off just eight balls.
7. South Africa Vs. England
England faced South Africa in a T20I series in 2016. Batting first, England piled up 134 runs on a tricky pitch, with Jos Buttler smacking 32 runs. In reply, Africa was in sort of trouble with the score reading 114-5 in the 18 over. Africa required 15 from the final over. With 14 runs needed off the last five balls, Morris held his nerve smashing two boundaries, and then took double on the final ball.
8. Pakistan Vs. Afghanistan
Pakistan faced Afghanistan in a T20I game in the Asia Cup in 2022. Batting first, Afghanistan piled up 129 runs on a tricky pitch, with Ibrahim Zadran smacking 35 runs. In reply, Pakistan was in sort of trouble with the score reading 119-9 in 19 over. Pakistan required 11 from the final over with just one wicket in hand. Naseem Shah held his nerve, smashing two consecutive sixes and taking them over the line.
9. South Africa Vs. New Zealand
South Africa faced New Zealand in a T20I game in the World T20 in 2014. Batting first, South Africa piled up 170 runs on a road of a pitch, with Duminy smacking a fifty. In reply, New Zealand was cruising towards victory with the score reading 164-5 in 19 over. New Zealand required seven from the final over. Dale Steyn held his nerve, scalping a wicket on the first bowl, and then bowled two consecutive dots. It all came down to the last ball, where three runs were required of the final ball and Taylor got run out on the final ball.
10. India Vs. England
India faced England in a T20I game in 2017. Batting first, India piled up 144 runs on a tricky pitch, with KL Rahul smacking a fifty. In reply, England was cruising towards victory with the score reading 113-3 in 16 over. With England requiring eight runs from the final over, Bumrah held his nerve, and scalped the wickets of Root and Buttler, and then gave away just one run in the last two balls.