2007 and 2024 T20 World Cups: 3 Key similarities you need to know

The T20 World Cup is the highest-level competition in the 20-over format. Organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) every two years, the first edition of the marquee event was held in South Africa in 2007. It was India who clinched the maiden title after defeating Pakistan in a riveting final at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

So far, eight editions of the multi-national tournament have been held offering some enthralling on-field moments. The ninth edition of the tournament is currently underway in the United States (USA) and the West Indies. As the Super Eight phase of the 2024 World Cup progresses, let's look at some of the similarities between the 2007 and 2024 World Cups.

Also Read: Most Hated Players in T20 World Cup History

Here are three similarities between the 2007 and 2024 T20 World Cups:

3. India's one league match getting washed out

India's final group-stage match of the 2024 T20 World Cup against Canada was abandoned without a toss due to persistent rain in Florida. However, that did not affect the Men in Blue's Super 8 qualification as they had won their previous three matches. They finished as Group A table toppers with seven points.

Similarly, India's first league match against Scotland in the 2007 edition was abandoned without a toss. The two were scheduled to face each other in Durban at Kingsmead. MS Dhoni and co. won the remaining four matches, including the semi-final against Australia, and booked a berth in the final. They registered a thrilling five-run win over arch-rivals Pakistan and lifted the maiden T20 World Cup title.

2. Pakistan losing a tied match   

T20 World Cup 2024 co-hosts United States (USA) scripted history by defeating Pakistan in a thrilling Super Over in Dallas. It was one of the most thrilling encounters in the ninth edition so far and one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. The Pakistan bowlers failed to defend a target of 160 runs as the USA batters scored exactly 159 runs to push the game into a Super Over. Batting first, USA scored 18 runs in six balls while the visitors managed to score only 13 runs.

Pakistan's group-stage match against India in the 2007 World Cup also ended in a tie. The Men in Blue scored 141-9 in the first innings and their bowlers did well to restrict their neighbours to the same score. With Super Over not in effect at that time, the winner (India) was determined through Bowl Out. Another coincidence was that both matches were Pakistan's second group-stage games. 

1. Australian bowler taking a hat-trick 

Pat Cummins recently became the second Australian bowler to claim a hat-trick in T20 World Cups. The right-arm fast bowler achieved this massive feat during a rain-curtailed Super 8 match against Bangladesh in the 2024 World Cup in Antigua.

Cummins joined former pacer Brett Lee in the elite list of Australian players who have taken a T20 World Cup hat-trick. Express pacer Lee recorded this feat in the inaugural edition of the World Cup and interestingly, both came against Bangladesh.