Top 10 T20I cricket matches with a last ball victory
T20I matches are already full of enough suspense and nail biting moments but when the things have come to the last ball of the match, imagine the level of excitement. A format that is that is often personified with the word entertainment that too in the shortest span of time has been getting enormous popularity in recent years. The reason for T20 format’s fame rightly lies in its unpredictable nature and unexpected outcome. Not just T20 but One Day Internationals as well are being played with the same spirit. With an injection of fresh, exciting young talent and an attacking philosophy which puts no upper limit on the totals a power-packed batting line-up are capable of racking up, most cricket teams have evolved hugely in recent times.
And those who could not cope with the ever evolving mindset in cricket world are nowhere near any reward at the moment. A glaring example of such decline is the Pakistan cricket team. Weak, pedestrian batting and rudderless leadership in the field saw the 1992 world champions lose their rankings to the top bottom in ODI format. In T20 format however they are somehow at some reasonable position courtesy their bowling alone. Perhaps the unpredictable format of the game suits the most unpredictable team in the world. And yes there have been games for Pakistan with a last ball victory in this format.
Not just Pakistan but almost all teams in the world have gone through the nail-biting, goosebumps creating moments. That’s exactly where the beauty of T20 formats lie – the core reason for its popularity. Though there have been some of the most thrilling high scoring games in T20 internationals as well but nothing equals a clash ending with a last ball victory. The game gets even more thrilling when the winning margin also gets to the minimum. Simply imagine a side winning a t20 game on the very last ball with only one wicket remaining.
Top 10 T20I cricket matches with a last ball victory
| Winner | Margin | Target | Overs | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
| New Zealand | 5 wickets | 150 | 20.0 | v India | Wellington | 27 Feb 2009 |
| Netherlands | 4 wickets | 163 | 20.0 | v England | Lord’s | 5 Jun 2009 |
| Sri Lanka | 5 wickets | 164 | 20.0 | v India | Gros Islet | 11 May 2010 |
| Scotland | 4 wickets | 136 | 20.0 | v Canada | Dubai (DSC) | 23 Mar 2012 |
| England | 1 wicket | 158 | 20.0 | v Australia | Adelaide | 12 Jan 2011 |
| Bangladesh | 2 wickets | 141 | 20.0 | v Ireland | Belfast | 21 Jul 2012 |
| Netherlands | 1 wicket | 129 | 20.0 | v Bangladesh | The Hague | 26 Jul 2012 |
| England | 6 wickets | 178 | 20.0 | v India | Mumbai | 22 Dec 2012 |
| New Zealand | 8 wickets | 169 | 19.0 | v South Africa | East London | 23 Dec 2012 |
| Pakistan | 2 wickets | 153 | 20.0 | v West Indies | Kingstown | 27 Jul 2013 |
