Yuvraj or Afridi? Herath or Brathwaite? It's the greatest T20 World Cup performance semi-finals
The final four: Yuvraj Singh wowing us in 2007, Shahid Afridi the all-round superstar in 2009, Rangana Herath's wizardry in 2014 and Carlos Brathwaite's 2016 heroics
ESPNcricinfo staff
20-Oct-2022
What's your pick for the greatest performance in the history of the men's T20 World Cup?
We are down to the final four in our fan vote, where we began with 16 outstanding entries. Two of them are paired in a match-up. The semi-final line-up is below. The performance with more votes in each match-up makes it to the final.
Voting for these match-ups has ended. Yuvraj Singh's 70 and Carlos Brathwaite's 3-23 & 34* move to the final.
Yuvraj Singh's 70 vs Shahid Afridi's 51 & 2-16
70 (30) vs AUS | Yuvraj Singh | Durban, 2007
India's young side had made a slow start in the T20 World Cup semi-final and were 41 for 2 at the end of the eighth over. Yuvraj Singh began with a swivel-pull against Stuart Clark - one of the best bowlers of the tournament - for six off the second ball he faced, and smashed a 119-metre pick-up shot off Brett Lee in the next over. His entire innings was like a highlights reel: the 70 off 30 balls included five sixes and as many fours, and he almost single-handedly took India to a match-winning 188.
India's young side had made a slow start in the T20 World Cup semi-final and were 41 for 2 at the end of the eighth over. Yuvraj Singh began with a swivel-pull against Stuart Clark - one of the best bowlers of the tournament - for six off the second ball he faced, and smashed a 119-metre pick-up shot off Brett Lee in the next over. His entire innings was like a highlights reel: the 70 off 30 balls included five sixes and as many fours, and he almost single-handedly took India to a match-winning 188.
51 (34) & 2-16 vs SA | Shahid Afridi | Nottingham, 2009
Pakistan's sole T20 world title had their starman at its heart, with Afridi delivering back-to-back memorable all-round performances in the semi-final and the final, but the first of those two acts was more impressive. Against an in-form South Africa, Afridi's innings was a blend of aggression and maturity, keeping a hostile attack at bay, and gave Pakistan 149 to defend. He followed it up with a frugal spell, which included the wickets of Herschelle Gibbs and AB de Villiers, as Pakistan snuck home by seven runs.
Pakistan's sole T20 world title had their starman at its heart, with Afridi delivering back-to-back memorable all-round performances in the semi-final and the final, but the first of those two acts was more impressive. Against an in-form South Africa, Afridi's innings was a blend of aggression and maturity, keeping a hostile attack at bay, and gave Pakistan 149 to defend. He followed it up with a frugal spell, which included the wickets of Herschelle Gibbs and AB de Villiers, as Pakistan snuck home by seven runs.
Rangana Herath's 5-3 vs Carlos Brathwaite's 3-23 & 34*
5-3 vs NZ | Rangana Herath | Chattogram, 2014
Sri Lanka's rousing T20 World Cup triumph may have never occurred but for a spell of wizardry in the final Group 1 match. Chasing 120 under lights - with evening dew around - New Zealand were mugged by one of the great T20 spells. Herath wove a web of deception with his subtle skills. He didn't concede a run until his 14th ball, delivered 18 dots in 3.3 overs, removed four of the top six, ran out Martin Guptill, and returned to the attack to complete his five-for and secure a semi-final spot for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's rousing T20 World Cup triumph may have never occurred but for a spell of wizardry in the final Group 1 match. Chasing 120 under lights - with evening dew around - New Zealand were mugged by one of the great T20 spells. Herath wove a web of deception with his subtle skills. He didn't concede a run until his 14th ball, delivered 18 dots in 3.3 overs, removed four of the top six, ran out Martin Guptill, and returned to the attack to complete his five-for and secure a semi-final spot for Sri Lanka.
3-23 & 34*(10) vs ENG | Carlos Brathwaite | Kolkata, 2016
Nineteen to win in the final over. Four balls, four sixes. "Carlos Brathwaite, remember the name"! Those hits at Eden Gardens will forever remain part of cricketing folklore. What gets forgotten is that Brathwaite was effective with the ball too: he picked up the key wickets of Jos Buttler and Joe Root to finish with figures of 4-0-23-3. He then came in at No. 8 with West Indies 107 for 6 in 15.3 chasing 156, and took them to their second title in the company of Marlon Samuels.
Nineteen to win in the final over. Four balls, four sixes. "Carlos Brathwaite, remember the name"! Those hits at Eden Gardens will forever remain part of cricketing folklore. What gets forgotten is that Brathwaite was effective with the ball too: he picked up the key wickets of Jos Buttler and Joe Root to finish with figures of 4-0-23-3. He then came in at No. 8 with West Indies 107 for 6 in 15.3 chasing 156, and took them to their second title in the company of Marlon Samuels.