Most Runs Scored In The Last Five Overs In A Successful Run-Chase In T20 World Cup Matches

New Zealand and Australia are set to take on each other in the final of the ICC T20 WC 2021 on Sunday. Perhaps no one had expected the two teams to reach the finals. Prior to the start of the event, India, West Indies, and England were touted as favourites to win the title.

While India and West Indies got eliminated in the Super 12s, England lost to New Zealand in the first semi-final. Pakistan who stayed unbeaten in the Super 12 stage went down to Australia in the second semi-final.

The T20 World Cup is currently being held in UAE. Winning the toss and bowling first has become the winning mantra. The teams who have chased down the scores have won more games than the ones who batted first. Both semi-finals saw teams chasing down big scores successfully with an over to spare in the game.

The finishers in the teams have had a crucial role to play. The ones who have the ability to change the game in a matter of a few overs in the death overs make it hard for the team bowling second to defend the total. In the history of the ICC T20 World Cup, there have been occasions, when we were fortunate enough to witness some outstanding run-chases. In this article, here’s a look at most runs scored in last five overs in a successful run-chase

Most Runs Scored In The Last Five Overs In A Successful Run-Chase In T20 World Cup Matches

5. 60 runs New Zealand vs England Abu Dhabi 2021

Touted as the favourites to win the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 title, England lost to New Zealand in the first semi-final of the tournament. Riding on significant contributions from Moeen Ali and Dawid Malan, England scored a competitive 166 on the board in the first innings.

New Zealand, in reply, lost both Guptill and Williamson in the chase. Devon Conway and Mitchell brought New Zealand back into the game with an 82-run stand for the third wicket. However, at the end of 15.1 overs, New Zealand had lost both Conway and Phillips. The Blackcaps needed 60 runs in the final five overs.

What followed was some sensational ball striking from Jimmy Neesham and Daryl Mitchell in the death overs. Neesham Hit two sixes and a four off Chris Jordan in the 17^th over, followed by two sixes in the next over.

Daryl Mitchell then hit Woakes two sixes and a four in the 19^th over to finish the game with an over to spare. The Blackcaps scored 60 runs in the last four overs of the innings. Mitchell played an unbeaten 72-run knock off 47 balls, while Neesham contributed 27 off 11.

4. 60 runs Pakistan vs South Africa Colombo 2012

The 15^th match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2012 between South Africa and Pakistan will be remembered for the heroic partnership between Umar Akmal and Umar Gul. South Africa batted first and posted a below-par 133-run total in the first innings. Pakistan batsmen too crumbled against some disciplined bowling attack of Proteas. By the end of the 15 overs, Pakistan had lost 7 wickets for just 76 runs.

However, Umar Gul then joined hands with Umar Akmal and script a dramatic turnaround. The duo added 49 runs in just 27 balls and brought smiles back into the camp of Pakistan. Umar Gul (32 off 17) got out in the 19^th over but Akmal ensured he finish the game for the side.

Needing 9 runs off the final over, Akmal hit a six and a four to finish the game with two balls left in the game. He stayed unbeaten on 43 off 41. Pakistan scored 60 runs in the final five overs during the run-chase.

3. 60 runs Sri Lanka vs India Gros Islet 2010

Sri Lanka did well with the ball to restrict India to 163 runs in the first innings after the latter had scored 90 runs for 1 wicket in the first 10 overs. India, in reply, didn’t make a great start as they had lost 3 wickets for 67 runs in the first 10 overs. However, Sangakkara then shifted gears and put pressure on the opposition.

He stitched a brilliant partnership with Angelo Mathews and scored boundaries all around the ground. He, sadly, got out in the 15^th over but Mathews hung in there. Need 59 off the last 33 deliveries.

Mathews and Kapugedara played with some maturity. The duo picked up 10 runs in the eighteenth over before hitting two fours in the next. It eventually came down to 13 needed in the final over of the match. Angelo Mathews hit a six off the first ball of the over before Kapugedara finished the game with a six on the very last ball. It was one hell of a run chase as Sri Lanka amassed 62 runs in the last five overs.

2. 62 runs Australia vs Pakistan Dubai 2021

Australia script a memorable run chase against Pakistan in the second semi-final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 on Thursday. Pakistan made a par score of 176 runs in the first innings.

The bowlers also bowled great lengths and took four important wickets to leave Australia reeling at 86 for 4 in the first 10 overs. Glenn Maxwell was the fifth one to go in the 13 overs at the score of 96. Pakistan were perhaps the favourite to win the game at that stage.

However, it’s never over till it’s over. As it turns out, Marcus Stoinis and Mathew Wade made a remarkable turnaround in the last five overs of the innings. With 50 runs needed in the last four, it wasn’t impossible and the Australia duo showed exactly that.

The 17^th over saw Stoinis scoring a six and four off Haris Rauf. Mathew Wade then punished Hasan Ali for a maximum over long-on before flicking him for a four-over square leg. It came down to 22 needed in the final two overs.

On the third ball of the 19th over bowled by Afridi, Hasan Ali dropped a catch of Wade at deep midwicket. And what followed was three consecutive sixes to leave Australia in utter joy. Australia eventually chased down the score with one over left in the game. Australia scored 62 runs in the last four overs and confirmed their spot for the finals.

1. 75 runs Aus vs Pak Gros Islet 2010

The semi-final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2010 between Australia and Pakistan will always be remembered for Michael Hussey’s last over heroics. Chasing a daunting 191-run total, Australia had lost half of their side for 105 runs in 13 overs. Michael Hussey walked in at that stage with a mountain to climb.

The equation came down to 70 needed in the last five overs. Pakistan could sense a win after Cameron White (43 off 31) got out in the 17^th over.  With 34 needed in the last two overs, it was never going to be easy for Australia.

Michael Hussey, however, scored 16 runs off the penultimate over before hitting three sixes and one four off Saeed Ajmal in the final over to script an epic run-chase. Australia, contrary to everyone’s expectations, won the game and reached the finals.