From Iqbal to Kohli - Top 10 innings at WT20 2016

Barnaby Read 17:39 04/04/2016
Sport360 picks out the best World T20 innings.

Sport360 looks back at the most memorable innings played during the ICC World Twenty20 – from Virat Kohli to Chris Gayle – there has been no shortage of fireworks with the bat.

TAMIM IQBAL (103*) vs Oman – 63b, 10×4, 5×6

Iqbal flew out of the traps in the qualifiers, with an innings of real joy coming in his unbeaten century against Oman. He structured his effort sublimely, scoring all around the wicket as he and Bangladesh exposed the gulf in class between the two sides. It was an innings he could not reproduce against the big boys in the Super 10s but his ton in Dharamsala was a pleasure to watch.

CHRIS GAYLE (100*) vs England – 48b, 5xb, 11×6

The West Indies opener loves to make a scene and boy did he do that in his side’s opening match against their eventual opponents in the final. Gayle took apart England with his hundred, clearing the rope an incredible 11 times. Sometimes no total is ever enough when you have someone of Gayle’s ability hitting their straps.

JOE ROOT (83) vs South Africa – 44b, 6×4, 4×6

Who would have thought 229 would not be enough against England? For one, Joe Root, whose 83 helped his country over the line in the most dramatic of fashions, a victory that turned around England’s fortunes and sparked their run to the final. Root was effortless and found the boundary with such ease that it made a mockery of South Africa’s gigantic total.

VIRAT KOHLI (55*) vs Pakistan – 37b, 7×4, 1×6

Chasing a rather modest target of 119 for victory, India stuttered in response and at 23-3 needed a batsman to come to the fore. Of course that man was Kohli and under the intense pressure of a Indo-Pak match he delivered with a half century that became so common throughout the tournament. It was a sign of things to come for Kohli, as you will see later in this list.

ANGELO MATHEWS (73) vs England – 54b, 3×4, 5×6

It was a case of so near yet so far for Mathews whose efforts could not secure victory for his country and ultimately the loss saw them exit the World T20. But batting on one leg for the majority and still clearing the ropes and hauling his team within contention despite at one stage being 15-4 makes him a worthy member of this compilation. If any of the top order had managed to pull off an innings even half as substantial as Mathews’ then the tournament would have taken on a completely different complexion.

VIRAT KOHLI (82*) vs Australia – 51b, 9×4, 2×6

Quite simply, this was a masterpiece. Kohli never looked overawed by the importance of a win for India in this theoretic quarter-final as he proved his worth as the modern game’s finest chaser. He would go on to 89* in the following game which would have featured had India beaten the West Indies but this was the innings that saw Kohli’s star rise higher than it ever has before.

JASON ROY (78) vs New Zealand – 44b, 11×4, 2×6

Roy’s superb start to proceedings in England’s run chase in search of a final berth eased any concerns of the rest of the team. A mixture of brute force and classical straight drives all littered this innings that Roy would go on to describe as easily one of his best. England’s bold, fearless brand of cricket was personified by Roy.

LENDL SIMMONS (82*) vs India – 51b, 7×4, 5×6

To overshadow Kohli’s innings was always going to take some doing but to the huge disappointment of the home supporters. Simmons did just that. It was a devastating knock that saw the hosts crash out and West Indies advance to the final. This was pure, unadulterated power from the big West Indian.

MARLON SAMUELS (85*) vs England – 66b, 9×4, 2×6

Samuels has made a habit of turning up for World T20 finals and the manner in which he orchestrated West Indies’ chase was nothing short of exceptional. He maintained momentum while everyone else around him struggled before unleashing late on to set the stage for the final man in this collection…

CARLOS BRATHWAITE (34*) vs England – 10b, 1×4, 4×6

What more can you say about Brathwaite’s innings? To finish a final with four consecutive sixes in the last over to secure victory was a jaw dropping effort, leaving fans, media and players stunned in awe of the big West Indian. It was the perfect way to see out a tournament filled with stunning cricket that thrilled the watching world.

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