India vs Pakistan, shocks, records, stars: History of the ICC T20 World Cup

A look at the biggest shocks, brightest stars and moments that mattered the most in the T20 World Cup’s 17-year history.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) hosts the ninth edition of its men’s T20 World Cup from June 1 in the Caribbean and the United States.

Cricket’s shortest format serves as the backbone of the most lucrative leagues worldwide and is responsible for bringing new fans to the game with its slap-bang nature.

Here’s a look at the brief history of the competition and the moments that mattered the most:

Host: South Africa
Final: India vs Pakistan
Winner: India – by five runs
Teams: 12
Player of the tournament: Shahid Afridi

Predictably, this was a tournament of many firsts. There were 33 T20I player debuts, several individual and team records were set, and the world had its first T20 champion.

Chris Gayle scored the first T20I century with his 57-ball 117 in the opening match against South Africa.

Yuvraj Singh famously hit England fast bowler Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over and in the process, broke the record for the fastest T20I half-century (50 off 12 balls).

India and Pakistan grabbed the headlines in two separate encounters. The rivals were locked in a tied match in the Super 8 stage, resulting in a first T20I bowl-out. Pakistan failed to hit the stumps in three attempts while India struck every time.

A final for the ages then set alight the cricketing world: India vs Pakistan, last-over finish.

Pakistan needed 13 before Misbah ul Haq brought the equation down to six off four. And then – Pakistan fans look away now – Misbah scooped Joginder Sharma to S Sreesanth at fine leg to set off wild celebrations. Misbah, shocked and heartbroken, remained on his haunches and India were crowned the first