ICC World T20 2014: Five amazing performances so far

Tags: ICC World Twenty20, 2013-14, Umar Akmal, Glenn James Maxwell, Stephanus Johannes Myburgh, Dale Willem Steyn, Shakti Prasad Gauchan

Published on: Mar 25, 2014

The ICC World T20 2014 is 20 matches old. As the tournament takes a one-day break on Wednesday, we look at some special performances in the event so far.

The ICC World T20 2014 is 20 matches old. As the tournament takes a one-day break on Wednesday, we look at some special performances in the event so far.


Umar Akmal: There has never been any doubt over the Pakistan youngster’s performance. If there were any, those were cleared during Akmal’s knock against Australia at Mirpur. Pakistan batted first in the game and Akmal, coming in at number four, smashed the bowlers all over the park en route to his 94 off 54 balls. Akmal looked in no kind of trouble at all during his knock, which featured 9 fours and 4 sixes. Thanks to Akmal’s brilliance, Pakistan posted 191 for 5, after which the bowlers kept Australia down to 175.


Glenn Maxwell: Now we know why the young Aussie was a million dollar buy at last year’s auction. In the same match that Umar Akmal made 94, Maxwell came up with an even better effort. He struck the ball so cleanly that it was almost unbelievable. Maxwell raced to 50 in merely 18 balls, and eventually finished with 74 from 33 balls. Maxwell’s knock comprised 7 fours and 6 sixes. When he was at the crease, it seemed as if Australia would ease to victory. But, the greatness of his knock was realised only after his dismissal, as the Aussies stumbled to a 16-run loss.


Stephan Myburgh: We cannot keep out this performance, can we? Ireland had posted 189 on the board, and it seemed they could qualify with ease. Netherlands needed to chase down the target in under 15 overs to qualify. It all looked improbable – that was until Myburgh strode in and blasted 63 from merely 23 balls with 4 fours and a stupendous 7 sixes. By the time he was dismissed, Netherlands had raced to 98 in 6.3 overs, and went on to clinch the game easily.


Dale Steyn: South Africa’sspeed gun was ineffective against Sri Lanka, but came up with a sensational effort against New Zealand at Chittagong, to deliver a come-from-behind win for his side. New Zealand needed only seven off the last over, but Steyn delivered an exceptional performance, dismissing Luke Ronchi and Nathan McCullum, and then holding his nerve to run out the well-set Ross Taylor (62 off 37 balls) off the last ball. Steyn finished with magnificent figures of 4 for 17.


Shakti Gauchan: The left-arm orthodox bowled starred for Nepal in the match against Hong Kong at Chittagong. Nepal had posted a competitive 149 on the board, batting first, but Gauchan ensured that it ended up being a match-winning score. He bowled his four overs and conceded only nine runs while picking up three important scalps to derail the Hong Kong chase. The chasing side were bundled out for merely 69 as Nepal won the one-sided clash by 80 runs.


--By A Cricket Analyst

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