Calypso Kings in Colombo
An interactive analysis of the dramatic 2012 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, where the flair of the West Indies conquered a nation's hopes.
The Path to the Final
The tournament was defined by the contrasting journeys of its two finalists. Host nation Sri Lanka navigated their path with clinical precision, while the West Indies survived a series of thrilling, narrow escapes. This section visualizes their different routes to the championship match.
Sri Lanka: The Composed Hosts
Click a stage above to see Sri Lanka's performance.
West Indies: The Resilient Survivors
Click a stage above to see the West Indies' journey.
The Unforgettable Final: Control vs. Chaos
The final on October 7, 2012, was a tactical battle defined by two game-changing performances. West Indies, after a disastrous start, were rescued by a Marlon Samuels masterclass. In response, Sri Lanka's chase was dismantled by Sunil Narine's mesmerizing spin. This section breaks down the two crucial phases of the match.
West Indies won by 36 runs
WI: 137/6 (20 overs) | SL: 101/10 (18.4 overs)
This chart illustrates the run progression for both teams, highlighting the West Indies' slow start and late acceleration compared to Sri Lanka's steady collapse under pressure.
WI Innings: The Samuels Masterclass
From a disastrous 14/2, Marlon Samuels played one of the great T20 final innings, scoring 78 off 56 balls to drag his team to a competitive total of 137.
Marlon Samuels: 78 (56)
Daren Sammy: 26* (15)
Ajantha Mendis: 4-0-12-4
Angelo Mathews: 4-1-11-1
SL Innings: The Spin Web
Chasing a modest 138, the hosts were strangled by disciplined bowling, collapsing against the mystery of Sunil Narine, who finished with incredible figures of 3/9.
M. Jayawardene: 33 (36)
Nuwan Kulasekara: 26 (13)
Sunil Narine: 3.4-0-9-3
Daren Sammy: 2-0-6-2
Iconic Moments
The 2012 World T20 was filled with performances and events that have become part of cricket folklore. Explore some of the most unforgettable highlights that defined the tournament.
Mendis's 6/8
Ajantha Mendis's world-record spell against Zimbabwe was a mesmerizing display of mystery spin.
McCullum's 123
Brendon McCullum's brutal century against Bangladesh set a new record for the highest T20I score.
Super Over Thrillers
The West Indies' dramatic Super Over win against New Zealand kept their campaign alive by the slimmest of margins.
'Gangnam Style'
The joyful, iconic dance by the victorious West Indies became the enduring image of the tournament.
Titans of the Tournament
While the West Indies claimed the team prize, the tournament was lit up by individual brilliance. Shane Watson of Australia was the undisputed Player of the Series, but many others left their mark with bat and ball. Use the buttons below to compare the top performers.
Player of the Tournament
Shane Watson (Australia)
Hover over the bars to see detailed statistics for each player.