India played two thrillers against Pakistan in the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007. In the league stage at Durban, the arch-rivals met for the first time in a T20 World Cup match, which ended in a tie. India then won the bowl-out, with captain MS Dhoni making a smart move by using part-time bowlers.
Couple of weeks later, India and Pakistan clashed again in the finals of the 2007 T20 World Cup in Johannesburg. A young side led by Dhoni with the senior players opting to sit out in a format that was yet to take wings. Still in its early days, the T20 format could not have asked for a better start than the inaugural T20 World Cup, which proved to be a defining moment in its rise.
India opted to bat first and reached 157 for 5 in 20 overs, with Gautam Gambhir, the current India team coach, scoring 75 off 54 balls. Rohit Sharma scored a fluent 30 not out off 16 balls.
Pakistan got off to a jittery start in the chase and were reduced to 76 for 5 in the 11th over, with Irfan Pathan and RP Singh picking three wickets each. However, Misbah-ul-Haq kept Pakistan in the hunt and brought the run-chase back on track.
With Pakistan needing 54 off 24 balls and three wickets in hand, Misbah hit three sixes off Harbhajan Singh in the 17th over and Sohail Tanvir’s four-ball 12 made Pakistan favourites.
Misbah on strike, Pakistan needed 13 runs from the final over. Dhoni took a bold call here by throwing the ball to an inexperienced Joginder Sharma. He started the over with a wide and the next delivery, a full-toss was tonked by Misbah for a six over long-off. The World Cup trophy in sight, Misbah chose to play a mistimed scoop shot that soared high only to find Sreesanth under it at fine leg. The stadium erupted as India clinched their first World Cup title in 24 years. The match changed cricket forever, giving its stamp of approval to a format that was here to stay. Moreover, India found a new leader in Dhoni.
