The best one-over spells in ICC World Twenty20, a statistical overview
The entire complexion of a T20 game can change in an over. Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath proved it in the ICC World Twenty20 competition. But this is not the only instance.
An over can change a game, goes the saying. At the ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh, this statement has never been more true. On Monday night, Rangana Herath literally turned the game on its head by taking two wickets in an over. His effort helped Sri Lanka bowl out New Zealand for just 60 and storm into the World Cup semifinals. Like Herath's over, there are a few more instances when an over proved to be a game-changer.
When Imran Tahir's two wickets vs Netherlands saved South Africa (Scorecard)
Imran Tahir prevented the upset of the tournament. Netherlands needed just 30 off 42 balls with five wickets in hand against 'big' boys South Africa. But Imran, the Pakistani-born leg-spinner took a wicket off the first ball and then one off the 5th ball to deflate the Dutch, who lost by 6 runs.
When Amit Mishra's double blow rocked the West Indies (Scorecard)
At 72 for 2, West Indies had set themselves up to go hell for leather in the last six overs versus India. But Amit Mishra had other plans. Mishra's 2 wickets in 2 balls took the wind out of the Carribean onslaught as they managed just 129 for 7, a total that didn't trouble the strong Indian batting line-up much.
When Saeed Ajmal trapped Australia in a web (Scorecard)
Australia needed just 31 off 18 balls with five wickets in hand and in came Saeed Ajmal. The Pakistani off-spinner showed why he's is feared by batsmen around the world. He yorked Aaron Finch and gave away only 1 run in the over to put Pakistan on course for a famous win
When Lanka's spin demon Herath shot down the Kiwis (Scorecard)
Herath arrived at the perfect time for Sri Lanka on Monday night. The veteran left-arm spinner produced career-best figures (five-wickets for three runs) as Sri Lanka stormed into the semifinal of the ICC World Twenty20 after crushing New Zealand by 59 runs in Chittagong. Herath's outstanding figures are the third best in T20Is.
When Steyn gunned down New Zealand (Scorecard)
New Zealand needed only 7 runs off the last over to win with 5 wickets in hand vs the Proteas. But if anyone could stop the Kiwis, it was the world's No. speedster, Dale Steyn, who forked out two Kiwi wickets conceding just 4 runs.