The Desert Coronation
An interactive analysis of Australia's unexpected triumph at the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup—a tournament defined by thrilling chases, individual brilliance, and the undeniable influence of the coin toss.
Champions
Australia
Player of the Tournament
David Warner
Most Runs
Babar Azam (303)
Most Wickets
W. Hasaranga (16)
The Crucible: Knockout Drama
The semi-finals and final delivered a trilogy of high-stakes chases, each won by the team batting second with an over to spare, perfectly encapsulating the tournament's prevailing trend.
New Zealand stuns England
Nov 10, Abu Dhabi
Chasing 167, New Zealand needed an improbable 57 runs from the final four overs. Jimmy Neesham's redemption arc began as he blasted 23 runs off Chris Jordan in the 17th over, completely flipping the script. Daryl Mitchell anchored the chase with a brilliant 72*, sealing a remarkable 5-wicket victory and a spot in their first-ever T20 World Cup final.
Turning Point:
Neesham's assault on Chris Jordan in the 17th over, which turned a required rate of over 14 into a manageable chase.
Statistical Leaders
Explore the top performers of the tournament. The leaderboards were topped by players who consistently delivered match-winning contributions for their teams.
Top 10 Run Scorers
Top 10 Wicket Takers
Defining Moments
Beyond the knockouts, the tournament was filled with historic feats, shocking upsets, and unforgettable performances that shaped its narrative.
Pakistan's Historic Win
Pakistan ended their World Cup curse against India with a stunning 10-wicket demolition, their first-ever World Cup victory over their arch-rivals.
Buttler's Masterclass
Jos Buttler scored the tournament's only century, a sublime 101* against Sri Lanka on a difficult Sharjah pitch where all other batsmen struggled.
Campher's 4-in-4
Ireland's Curtis Campher achieved the near-impossible, taking four wickets in four consecutive balls against the Netherlands, a historic first for the T20 World Cup.
Hasaranga's Hat-Trick
The tournament's leading wicket-taker, Wanindu Hasaranga, showcased his brilliance with a hat-trick against South Africa in a thrilling contest.
Namibia's Fairytale
In their first-ever T20 World Cup, Namibia defied all odds by advancing to the Super 12s, a landmark achievement for associate cricket.
A Legend's Farewell
The tournament marked the end of an era for West Indies cricket, with legends Dwayne Bravo and Chris Gayle receiving a guard of honour in their final match.
The Winning Formula
Success was dictated by a clear formula. Teams that understood the conditions and mastered these three tactical pillars consistently came out on top.
The Toss as Kingmaker
Heavy evening dew made gripping the ball difficult, giving a massive advantage to teams bowling second. In Dubai, 12 of 13 matches were won by the chasing side.
Wrist-Spin Dominance
On dry pitches, wrist-spinners like Adam Zampa and Wanindu Hasaranga controlled the crucial middle overs, choking run rates and taking key wickets.
The Finisher's Art
The tournament showcased the rise of the specialist finisher. Players like Matthew Wade, Asif Ali, and Jimmy Neesham won games from impossible situations with explosive death-over hitting.