Movements of the tournament

The last four years have produced five quality global tournaments that include three World T-20s (2009, 2010 and 2012), a Champions Trophy (2009)

and a World Cup (2011). Invariably the level of competition has remained high and the quality of players available has helped produce some thrilling contests. In the ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2012, of the six Super Eight games played at Pallekele, two were tied sending the games into Super Overs and on both instances New Zealand were in trouble.

There were many twists that the tournament witnessed and the only thing the competition lacked perhaps was the inability of the two associates and minnows Bangladesh and Zimbabwe to make an impact. Ireland, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh were knocked out in the first round of the competition itself.

Below we give some of the most talked moments of the competition

Ajantha Mendis’ World Record

Spin bowler Ajantha Mendis had been sidelined from cricket for nine months and he made his return to the national side in the curtain raiser of the World T-20 at Suriyawewa against Zimbabwe and made it count breaking his own World Record for best bowling figures in an innings. Mendis finished with figures of six for eight to help Sri Lanka begin the campaign on a winning note.

McCullum breaks record

New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum can be devastating when he gets going. The wicketkeeper batsman set a new World Record for most runs in an innings when he smashed 123 off 58 balls with 11 fours and seven sixes in a Group ‘D’ match against Bangladesh at Pallekele. He broke South African Richard Levi’s record of 117* scored earlier this year against the Kiwis.

"When he hits it, it goes for a six. When he doesn’t hit it, it goes for a six," a bemused Bangladesh captain Mushfiqar Rahim told journalists.

Johnson who?

We know what Chris Gayle is capable of top of the order. But during this World T-20, the little heard of opening partner of his stole the limelight. Johnson Charles is 23-years-old and is from St. Lucia and he at times made Gayle a spectator like when he smashed 84 runs off 56 balls with ten four and three sixes against England at Pallekele.

The Gayle dance

We know that Chris Gayle can bat, bowl and field too. But during the World T-20 he showed that he could dance as well. In West Indies’ first Super Eight game against England at Pallekele, after dismissing Johnny Bairstow he came up with a few moves.  The dance has become a hit among local fans and even Sri Lankan all-rounder Jeevan Mendis followed suit in Sri Lanka’s next game after claiming a wicket.

Harbhajan’s memorable return

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh had not played any form of international cricket for over a year and he finally made a return to the side in India’s last Group game against England at R. Premadasa Stadium. He came up with a superb effort on his return claiming four wickets as England crashed to their lowest total in T-20 cricket and their heaviest defeat in the shortest format of the game.

Finn breaking stumps

England fast bowler Steven Finn bowled well in the competition and in the crucial game against New Zealand picked up three wickets. But all the attention was on the Middlesex fast bowler breaking the stumps inadvertently with his knee.

New Zealand were robbed of runs as well. On one such instance when he broke the stumps a boundary was scored while in the other instance a wide had been called. The umpires had to reverse both decisions and dead balls were called on both occasions.

New Zealand, who crashed out of the competition, clearly weren’t happy at what was going on. "It’s a rule for one person. Unless the batsman gets out you should just carry on. If the batsman gets out it should be a dead ball," New Zealand captain Ross Taylor said.