The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released a special list of “iconic performances” in T20 World Cup history, featuring some of the most memorable individual efforts on cricket’s biggest stage — including Shahid Afridi’s match-winning all-round show for Pakistan in 2009.
The ICC said the list celebrates standout moments that shaped the tournament’s legacy from the inaugural 2007 edition to the most recent events.
Afridi’s performance in the 2009 semi-final against South Africa earned a place among the elite. After being named Player of the Tournament in 2007, the former Pakistan captain returned with a commanding display, scoring 51 off 34 balls and then claiming the key wickets of Herschelle Gibbs and AB de Villiers to finish with figures of 2 for 16. His effort helped Pakistan reach the final — a tournament they went on to win.
India’s Yuvraj Singh was also recognized for his historic feat in the 2007 World Cup, where he smashed six sixes in a single over off England’s Stuart Broad. The ICC noted that Yuvraj became the first player to achieve the milestone in T20 cricket and recorded a then world-record 12-ball half-century.
From the 2010 edition, Australia’s Michael Hussey made the list for his breathtaking unbeaten 60 off 24 balls in the semi-final against Pakistan. Chasing a challenging target, Hussey sealed the match by hitting three sixes and a four in the final over.
West Indies’ Sunil Narine was honored for his match-winning spell in the 2012 final, where he took 3 for 9 to derail Sri Lanka’s chase and guide his team to their first T20 World Cup title.
Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath earned recognition for his sensational 5 for 3 against New Zealand in the 2014 tournament, a performance that helped dismiss the Black Caps for just 60 runs and secure Sri Lanka’s maiden championship.
Carlos Brathwaite’s legendary four consecutive sixes in the 2016 final against England also featured on the list. Needing 19 runs in the final over, the West Indies all-rounder delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in World Cup history.
Australia’s Mitchell Marsh was included for his unbeaten 77 in the 2021 final, leading his team to an eight-wicket victory over New Zealand and earning the Player of the Match award.
The ICC also highlighted England’s Ben Stokes for his redemption performance in the 2022 final, helping his side secure a second T20 World Cup and make history by holding both white-ball world titles simultaneously.
Rounding out the list was India’s Virat Kohli, who anchored his team’s innings with a composed 76 in the 2024 final. After India slipped to 34 for 3, Kohli guided them to a competitive total and claimed the Player of the Match award as South Africa fell just seven runs short in the chase.