First ICC T20 World Cup

The first ICC T20 World Cup was held in September 2007, marking the international debut of Twenty20 cricket’s global championship under the International Cricket Council. Officially titled the ICC World Twenty20 2007, the tournament took place in South Africa from 11 to 24 September 2007, featuring 12 national teams. The competition was hosted across multiple venues, with the final staged at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The final match saw India national cricket team face Pakistan national cricket team, continuing a long-standing cricket rivalry. India batted first and scored 157 runs, setting Pakistan a target of 158. In a closely contested finish, India won the match by 5 runs, securing the inaugural title. India’s campaign was led by captain MS Dhoni, who headed a relatively young squad. One of the tournament’s most notable performances came from Yuvraj Singh, who hit six consecutive sixes in an over against England during the Super 8 stage, totaling 36 runs in six balls. The tournament also included early experimentation with bowl-out tie-breakers, used when matches ended level. Following the final, India lifted the first ICC T20 World Cup trophy, while Pakistan finished as runners-up. The tournament concluded with strong stadium attendance and widespread broadcast coverage, leading the ICC to schedule future editions of the T20 World Cup as a recurring international event.