T20 World Cup 2007 Scorecard Final

The 2007 ICC World Twenty20 Final, held on 24 September 2007 at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, marked the climax of the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup. The match brought together cricketing rivals India and Pakistan in a high-stakes encounter that would set the tone for T20 cricket on the global stage. With both teams eager to claim the first-ever T20 World Cup title, the final captivated fans around the world and became an iconic moment in cricket history.

India had previously defeated Pakistan in their Group D match, giving them confidence heading into the final. Both teams showcased strong performances in the Super 8s and semi-finals, with India overcoming Australia and Pakistan defeating New Zealand to earn their spots. The final itself was a thrilling contest, with India setting a competitive total and Pakistan chasing vigorously, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats throughout the match.

The match was witnessed by 32,217 fans at the stadium, creating an electric atmosphere. India emerged victorious by a narrow margin of 5 runs, with Irfan Pathan earning the Player of the Match award for his outstanding bowling performance. The 2007 final not only highlighted the excitement and unpredictability of T20 cricket but also strengthened the legendary rivalry between India and Pakistan, leaving a lasting legacy for future T20 tournaments.

Road to the Final: T20 World Cup 2007 Scorecard Final

StageTeamResultKey NotesGroup DIndia vs PakistanIndia won (bowl-out 3-0)Match tied; India won in a dramatic bowl-out after Misbah-ul-Haq run-out.Super 8India vs New ZealandLost by 10 runsIndia faced an early setback in the Super 8 stage.Super 8India vs EnglandWon by 18 runsStrong batting and bowling performance.Super 8India vs South AfricaWon by 37 runsDemonstrated dominance on home soil.Super 8Pakistan vs Sri LankaWon by 33 runsStrong all-round performance.Super 8Pakistan vs AustraliaWon by 8 wicketsSolid chase led by key batsmen.Super 8Pakistan vs BangladeshWon by 4 wicketsEfficient finishing ensured progression to semis.Semi-FinalPakistan vs New ZealandWon by 6 wicketsTight contest; Pakistan dominated chase.Semi-FinalIndia vs AustraliaIndia wonIndia turned the game with consistent batting and bowling.

Match Preview

Ahead of the final, local media in Pakistan considered their team the favorite, partly because the match was played during Ramadan. However, cricket experts warned of the game’s unpredictability, emphasizing that the outcome could depend on which team held their nerve under pressure. Analysts noted that despite pre-match expectations, the high stakes and intense rivalry between India and Pakistan meant anything could happen on the field.

For the final, India made a single change to their semi-final lineup, bringing Yusuf Pathan in place of Virender Sehwag, while Pakistan replaced Fawad Alam with Yasir Arafat. After winning the toss, MS Dhoni chose to bat first, aiming to post a competitive total that would put pressure on the Pakistani batting lineup. Both teams entered the match focused on executing their plans in what promised to be a thrilling contest.

Match Summary

India posted 157/5 in 20 overs, with Gautam Gambhir top-scoring with 75 off 54 balls. Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, and Irfan Pathan contributed vital runs, while Umar Gul led Pakistan’s bowling with 3 wickets.

 

Pakistan struggled in the chase, losing early wickets and ending at 152 all out in 19.3 overs. Misbah-ul-Haq tried to stabilize the innings, scoring 43 runs, but wickets fell at regular intervals. Irfan Pathan and R.P. Singh took three wickets each to seal the victory for India.

India Innings: T20 World Cup 2007 Scorecard Final

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, India got off to a shaky start in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 Final. Yusuf Pathan was dismissed early for 15 runs, followed by Robin Uthappa, who managed only eight runs. The team faced pressure as wickets fell quickly, but Gautam Gambhir steadied the innings with a brilliant knock of 75 runs off 54 balls, hitting 8 fours and 2 sixes.

Other Indian batsmen offered limited support, with Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni contributing small but important scores. Rohit Sharma’s late assault provided the momentum India needed, helping the Men in Blue finish their 20 overs at a competitive total of 157/5, setting a challenging target for Pakistan in the final.

BatsmanRunsBalls4s6sStrike RateGautam Gambhir755482138.88Yusuf Pathan15811187.50Robin Uthappa8111072.72Yuvraj Singh14191073.68MS Dhoni6100060.00Rohit Sharma301621187.50Irfan Pathan3300100.00Extras6––––Total157/520 overs–––

Pakistan Innings: T20 World Cup 2007 Scorecard Final

Pakistan’s run chase got off to a shaky start as Mohammad Hafeez was dismissed in the very first over. Kamran Akmal also fell cheaply, and Imran Nazir, who had scored a quick 33 off 14 balls, was run out. The early losses put Pakistan under pressure, making it difficult for the middle order to build momentum.

India’s bowlers, particularly Irfan Pathan and R. P. Singh, capitalized on the situation, triggering a collapse that left Pakistan reeling at 77/6. Although Misbah-ul-Haq tried to stabilize the innings and guide the lower order, he was eventually dismissed. This resulted in a narrow five-run victory for India, sealing a dramatic and memorable finish in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 Final.

BatsmanRunsBalls4s6sStrike RateMohammad Hafeez130033.33Imran Nazir331442235.71Kamran Akmal03000.00Younis Khan242440100.00Shoaib Malik8170047.05Misbah-ul-Haq433804113.15Shahid Afridi01000.00Yasir Arafat151120136.36Sohail Tanvir12402300.00Umar Gul02000.00Mohammad Asif4110400.00Extras12––––Total152 all out19.3 overs–––

Bowling Highlights

BowlerOversRunsWicketsEconomyIrfan Pathan41634.00R.P. Singh42636.50Joginder Sharma3.32025.71S. Sreesanth444111.00Umar Gul42837.00Mohammad Asif32518.33

Final Thoughts

The 2007 ICC World Twenty20 Final is remembered as one of cricket’s most thrilling encounters. India secured a dramatic five-run victory over Pakistan, showcasing the intensity and excitement of the T20 format. The match was a true India-Pakistan rivalry, filled with tense moments and remarkable performances that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Key players like Gautam Gambhir, who scored a brilliant 75 runs, along with Irfan Pathan and R. P. Singh, who took crucial wickets, played pivotal roles in India’s win. This iconic final not only cemented India’s status in T20 cricket but also contributed significantly to the global rise and popularity of the Twenty20 format.