The first-ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup was played in South Africa in 2007, and it changed cricket forever. The shortest format was new, unpredictable, and full of excitement. In the final, India defeated Pakistan by 5 runs in a dramatic match at Johannesburg. This victory not only gave India its first T20 World Cup but also marked the beginning of a new era in cricket.
India – First T20 World Cup Champion (2007)
- Winner: India
- Runner-Up: Pakistan
- Host Country: South Africa
- Venue of Final: New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
- Date: 24 September 2007
- Captain: MS Dhoni (India)
- Result: India won by 5 runs
India vs Pakistan Final Match Scorecard Highlights
India’s Innings
- Total: 157/5 in 20 overs
- Top Scorer: Gautam Gambhir – 75 (54 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes)
- Finisher: Rohit Sharma – 30* (16 balls)
- Key Moment: India set a competitive target of 158.
Pakistan’s Innings
- Total: 152 all out in 19.3 overs
- Top Scorer: Misbah-ul-Haq – 43 (38 balls)
- Turning Point: Misbah’s scoop shot caught by Sreesanth sealed India’s win.
Read Also:- Lowest Scores in Asia Cup History (T20 & ODI)
Player Awards
| Award | Player | Country | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player of the Match (Final) | Irfan Pathan | India | 3/16 in 4 overs |
| Player of the Series | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 91 runs & 12 wickets |
Captains in the Final
| Team | Captain | Notable Decision |
|---|---|---|
| India | MS Dhoni | Chose to bat first after winning toss |
| Pakistan | Shoaib Malik | Couldn’t guide side past the finish line |
Key Moments of the Final
- Gautam Gambhir’s steady 75 built the foundation for India.
- Rohit Sharma’s quick 30 at the end* gave India a defendable total.
- Irfan Pathan’s match-winning spell (3/16) broke Pakistan’s middle order.
- Joginder Sharma’s last over became historic, defending 13 runs against Misbah-ul-Haq.
- Misbah’s scoop shot ended in Sreesanth’s hands, sparking India’s victory celebrations.
Impact of India’s Win
- The 2007 win was India’s first ICC trophy in T20 format.
- MS Dhoni became a legendary leader, later winning the 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy.
- The success popularized T20 cricket worldwide and led to the creation of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008.
First T20 World Cup 2007 – Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Year | 2007 |
| Host | South Africa |
| Winner | India |
| Runner-Up | Pakistan |
| Captain (Winner) | MS Dhoni |
| Venue (Final) | Johannesburg |
| Margin | India won by 5 runs |
| Player of the Match | Irfan Pathan (India) |
| Player of the Series | Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) |
Conclusion
The 2007 ICC T20 World Cup final remains one of cricket’s greatest matches. India’s thrilling victory against Pakistan not only gave them the first-ever T20 World Cup trophy, but also changed cricket’s history. With Dhoni’s cool captaincy, Gambhir’s batting, Pathan’s bowling, and Joginder’s nerve in the last over, India’s win still lives in the hearts of fans.
