T20 World Cup

T20 World Cup

After spreading rapidly worldwide, Cricket came up with an entertaining and interesting format, the T20 format. This format is the shortest format of Cricket where two teams play for 20 overs each. With this shortest format, the World Cup started another new chapter. In 2007, fans have been witnessed the first-ever T20 World Cup. Since then, the T20 World Cup has successfully happened every two years. In this article, we will relive all the glorious memories of the World Cup.

The Inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup:

In the year 2007, The T20 World Cup started and was hosted by South Africa. In the inaugural edition, every team played very well and gave their best. India and Pakistan, the biggest rivals of Cricket faced each other in the finals where India bagged the trophy in the inaugural season of the T20 World Cup.

1. Teams Played: 12 teams ( South Africa, West Indies, England, Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Scotland)
2. Teams to Reach the Knockouts: India, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand
3. Winner: India
4. Runner-Up: Pakistan
5. Highest Run Scorer: Mathew Hyden (AUS)- 275 runs
6. Highest Wicket-Taker: Umar Gul (PAK)- 13 wickets

The 2009 T20 World Cup:

In 2009, the T20 World Cup was organized in England. This time amongst all the teams, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and West Indies played great games. In this edition, Pakistan was named the Champion of the tournament.

1. Teams Played: 12 teams ( South Africa, West Indies, England, Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Netherlands, and Scotland)
2. Teams to Reach the Knockouts: Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies
3. Winner: Pakistan
4. Runner-Up: Sri Lanka
5. Highest Run Scorer: Tillakaratne Mudiyanselage Dilshan (SL)- 317 runs
6. Highest Wicket-Taker: Umar Gul (PAK)- 13 wickets

The 2010 T20 World Cup:

The 2010 T20 World Cup was organized in West Indies. All 12 teams showed great resilience for one ultimate goal. Amongst All teams, the top 4 teams were England, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Australia. In the final, another cricket rival Australia and England faced each other, and lastly, England outshined Australia to get their maiden T20 World Cup trophy.

1. Teams Played: 12 teams ( South Africa, West Indies, England, Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Ireland)
2. Teams to Reach the Knockouts: England, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Australia
3. Winner: England
4. Runner-Up: Australia
5. Highest Run Scorer: Mahela Jayawardene (SL) - 302 runs
6. Highest Wicket-Taker: Dirk Nannes (AUS)- 14 wickets

The 2012 T20 World Cup:

Sri Lanka has hosted the T20 World Cup in the year 2012. Sri Lanka played great cricket throughout but their hard luck didn’t give them the trophy on their home soil. West Indies outshined them at the most important match and bagged their first-ever T20 World Cup trophy.

1. Teams Played: 12 teams ( South Africa, West Indies, England, Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Afghanistan)
2. Teams to Reach the Knockouts: Pakistan, Australia, Sri Lanka, West Indies
3. Winner:  West Indies
4. Runner-Up: Sri Lanka
5. Highest Run Scorer:  Shane Watson (AUS)- 249 runs
6. Highest Wicket-Taker: Ajantha Mendis (SL)- 15 wickets

The 2014 T20 World Cup:

Bangladesh hosted the 2024 T20 World Cup, marking the first time the event featured 16 teams. All ten full member nations qualified automatically, while six associate members secured their spots through the 2013 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier. This expanded format brought new excitement and competition to the tournament.

1. Teams Played: 16 teams ( South Africa, West Indies, England, Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Ireland, Nepal, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Zimbabwe and United Arab Emirates)
2. Teams to Reach the Knockouts: India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies
3. Winner: Sri Lanka
4. Runner-Up: India
5. Highest Run Scorer: Virat Kohli (IND)- 319 runs
6. Highest Wicket-Taker: Imran Tahir (SA)-12 wickets

The 2016 T20 World Cup:

India hosted the 2016 World Cup, featuring 16 teams for the second time. Ten teams qualified automatically as full ICC members, while six others earned their places through the 2015 World Twenty20 Qualifier. The competition was structured into three distinct stages, enhancing the tournament's depth and excitement.

1. Teams Played: 16 teams ( South Africa, West Indies, England, Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Ireland, Oman, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Zimbabwe and Scotland)
2. Teams to Reach the Knockouts: India, West Indies, England, New Zealand
3. Winner: West Indies
4. Runner-Up: England
5. Highest Run Scorer: Tamim Iqbal (BAN)- 295
6. Highest Wicket-Taker: Mohammad Nabi (AFG)- 12 wickets

The 2021 T20 World Cup:

The 2021 T20 World Cup was hosted in Dubai at the most difficult time. To give some entertainment to fans, every team played thrilling matches throughout the tournament. Australia named that edition by showcasing their excellence and winning their maiden T20 World Cup trophy after a long time.

1. Teams Played: 16 teams ( South Africa, West Indies, England, Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Ireland, Oman, Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, Namibia and Scotland)
2. Teams to Reach the Knockouts: Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, England
3. Winner: Australia
4. Runner-Up: New Zealand
5. Highest Run Scorer: Babar Azam (PAK)- 303 runs
6. Highest Wicket-Taker: Wanindu Hasaranga (SL)- 16 wickets

The 2022 T20 World Cup:

The 2022 T20 World Cup was hosted in Australia. Sixteen teams fought for the ultimate goal of becoming the World Champion. Amongst all, the teams showcased brilliant performances were played the final. On the ultimate day, England completely outplayed Pakistan and won the T20 World Cup title for the second time.

1. Teams Played: 16 teams ( South Africa, West Indies, England, Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates, Namibia and Scotland)
2. Teams to Reach the Knockouts: India, England, Pakistan, New Zealand
3. Winner: England
4. Runner-Up: Pakistan
5. Highest Run Scorer: Virat Kohli (IND)- 296 runs
6. Highest Wicket-Taker: Wanindu Hasaranga (SL)- 15 wickets

The 2024 T20 World Cup:

For the first time in the history of the T20 World Cup, 20 teams have participated in the T20 World Cup and the USA has played their first ever T20 World Cup. This time, United States of America (USA) and the West Indies hosted the World Cup together. 20 teams were divided into 4 groups and the top two teams from each group qualified for the Super-8 stage. This time Afghanistan surprised everyone with their brilliance as they played their first ever semi-final. India and South Africa, two unbeaten teams faced each other in the finals where India won the major ICC trophy after a long wait and remained unbeaten throughout the tournament.

1. Teams Played: 20 teams (India, South Africa, England, Afghanistan, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Oman, Scotland, Namibia, Nepal, Ireland, United States of America, Canada, Uganda and Papua New Guinea)
2. Teams to Reach the Knockouts: India, South Africa, Afghanistan, England
3. Winner: India
4. Runner-Up: South Africa
5. Highest Run Scorer: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG)- 281 runs
6. Highest Wicket-Taker: Fazalhaq Farooqi (AFG) and Arshdeep Singh (IND)- 17 wickets

The next T20 World Cup will be hosted in India and Sri Lanka and like this year 20 teams will participate in the tournament. The teams who were qualified in the super-8 stage directly qualified for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka is also qualified due to its host advantage. Though Pakistan, New Zealand, and Ireland didn’t qualify for the super-8, they are also qualified for the next one based on their ICC ranking. Rest teams will qualify by playing qualifier matches.