Today is the 10th year anniversary of Michael Hussey's heroics in Gros Islet vs Pakistan. Probably, one of the greatest innings in all T20 games. Michael Hussey scored 60 from just 24 runs in an impossible run chase in T20 World Cup semifinal in 2010.
England beat Sri Lanka in the 1st semifinal & qualified to the final of ICC World T20 for the first time in their cricket history. Australia met Pakistan in the 2nd Semifinal in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia. Australia had an easy walk to the Semifinal by winning all the games that they played in early stages. They beat Pakistan once in the group stage by 34 runs. However, Pakistan who won the previous World Cup in 2009, had a hard tournament this time. They lost 3 out of 5 games before reach to the semifinal. They just maintained a good run rate & with some luck they managed to stand above New Zealand in points table. However, Pakistan Cricket team is always an unpredictable side.
Australian captain Michael Clarke won the toss and elected to field first. Pakistan openers Kamran Akmal & Salman Butt had a good start for the innings. Akmal scored brilliant fifty from just 33 balls. He got out soon after he reached his landmark. Young Umar Akmal, who played his first ICC tournament scored the most runs for their team that day. He remained not out and scored 56 runs with 4 sixes. Pakistan scored 191 for 6 wickets from their 20 overs. Dirk Nannes, Mitchell Johnson, Steve smith & David Hussey got one wicket each.
See this link to See how Michael Hussey's thoughts about his epic knock.
https://www.icc-cricket.com/video/1668493
Australia who had never won a T20 World cup before, started the chase of 192 to reach the final. In the second ball of their innings, David Warner had to depart without scoring runs. Mohammed Amir took his second wicket by removing Shane Watson. Australian middle order batsmen couldn't stay long even they got starts. Cameron White scored 43 runs with 5 massive sixes.
But after 17.1 overs, Australia lost 7 wickets for just 144. Australia needed another 48 runs in last 17 balls with just 3 wickets left.
Michael Hussey was the only recognized batsman remain on crease. It was a hard task for him. As he told after the match, he almost had given up it. He just tried to swing the bat and see what happen after that. Australia needed 34 from last 2 overs. Pakistan's main fast bowler Mohammed Amir delivered the penultimate over. Hussey scored 2 boundaries in that over and ran 8 runs and scored 16 for the over. So,18 runs left for the last over. Saeed Ajmal bowled his first 3 overs for just 23 runs got the ball. Ajmal was a good spinner & usually it's very hard to attack against him. Mitchell Johnson tapped the first ball and ran a single to give the strike to Hussey. Hussey had no choice other than swinging when 17 needed from 5. Ajmal delivered a short length delivery & Hussey hit it hard to the Mid-wicket region boundary for a six. Pakistan dressing room showed their pressure symptoms for the first time in that game.
Ajmal's next length delivery went over long on region for another six. All of sudden, Australia became the favorites to win the game. 5 runs needed from 3 balls. Hussey played a cut shot and scored a boundary just over the cover fielders. Australian players already started celebrating. Scores were tie. Just a single needed for Australia to claim the victory. Pakistan fans were disappointed to see their team to lose from a winning position. Ajmal started the run up delivered the next ball. Michael Hussey hit another six and took his team over the line.
Unbelievable scenes in St. Lucia. Hussey had played a gem of an innings. His 60 from 24 balls with 6 giant sixes helped Australia to reach the final.
Unfortunately, their joy didn’t stay long as Australia had to lose the World Cup Final against England after 2 days.
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