W,W,W,W,0,W! How Pakistan shattered Australia’s dream in the T20 World Cup 2010

Australia's final over slump in T20 World Cup 2010 (Source: @SkyCricket/x.com)

If we tell you to imagine an intense cricket game, your mind may visualize a breathtaking battle between a batter and a bowler in a last-over thriller where a single run or wicket is set to rewrite the destiny of the match. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg called 'cricket', it is packed with heart-stopping moments that go far beyond.

The game has seen countless instances of bowling brilliance that dashed opponents’ dreams in a fluke, but when hard luck and opponent bowlers hit hard together, fans take a seat and watch the destruction in awe. Even the mightiest teams have off days, and Australia once learned that lesson the hard way.

The Australian side has conquered at every stage except their outing against Pakistan during the T20 World Cup. Known for their mastery in death overs, the Aussies faced an unforgettable twist in that final over.

Where Aussies always try to hit some big shots in an over, they shockingly lost five wickets in that final over. It sounds like a movie script, but in cricket, sometimes real life delivers drama even Bollywood couldn’t imagine.

Australia shine early before the unthinkable storm hit

Cricket may have first invented in England, but Australia rose like one of the biggest giants of the game. Across formats, with bat, ball, or in the field, spotting a flaw in the mighty Aussies seemed almost impossible, yet even lions sometimes fail to hunt. Australia tasted the exact thing in that World Cup game in 2010.

Facing the Men in Green in the group stage clash, they gave a good start as David Warner walked away scoring 26 runs after stitching a 51-run partnership with Shane Watson. But the momentum didn’t last long; Michael Clarke’s early dismissal triggered a sudden wobble and turned the innings on its head.

Standing at that point, Watson paired up with David Hussey, and Pakistani bowlers faced the heat. Their blistering 98-run stand had Australia cruising toward a commanding total, until cricket, true to its nature, tore up the script and delivered a cruel twist to Australia’s fate.

Mohammad Amir walks in, and Australia’s worst fears come alive

If Australia is celebrated for its ruthless dominance, Pakistan has long been the factory of fearsome fast bowlers. From Imran Khan to Shoaib Akhter, the list has been long, and when Aussie determination meets Pakistan’s fiery bowling, the world watches a thriller.

In that clash between the titans, what looked like another routine Aussie march suddenly turned into a nightmare, with Mohammad Amir emerging as the name that would haunt Australia long after the final ball.

Stepping into the last over, Australia was standing on a well-settled 191, setting their eyes on a 200+ run total. Stepping into the final over of the match, Shahid Afridi played a masterstroke, sending Mohammad Amir to bowl. The pacer walked onto the field, and a silent storm followed his footsteps.

In the first ball of the over, Amir bowled a fuller delivery, outside the off stump, and Brad Haddin fell straight into the trap. Trying something he shouldn’t have, the Aussie batter paid the price as Mohammad Sami, perfectly placed at third man, made no mistake, sending Haddin back in just one run.

As Hussey was on the other hand, Mitchell Johnson walked out to bat and took the strike. Channeling the same fire, Amir sent him back on a golden duck. The last over, what could have been the last intensity to see the Aussie firepower, turned into a horrific memory for them.

Australia expect domination but face a crushing collapse

They were searching for revival, but the Men in Green were in no mood to let them go. In the next delivery, Amir was on a hat-trick ball, and the entire stadium held their breath to witness another heart-stopping moment. 

Though the hat-trick eluded him, Kamran Akmal stepped in to send Michael Hussey packing with a fateful run-out, adding to Australia’s nightmare.

While aiming for a 200+ total, Australia were reeling at 191/8, but more blows were coming their way. 

Joining Amir’s fury, Akmal’s steady hands produced more magic as he sent back Steve Smith in the very next delivery. Watching the meltdown, the spectators couldn’t believe their eyes, but the final blow was yet to come.

After the fifth delivery came as a dot ball, the Aussies might have dared to breathe until Amir made his final blow. With hearts racing and hope soaring, the last ball struck, and Shaun Tait fell for a brutal two-ball duck.

Victory comes, but the craziest over writes its own story

Cricket is known for its unpredictable charm, and no one experienced it more than the Australia vs Pakistan clash. From cruising with a solid total to an unbelievable collapse, the game took a dramatic twist, leaving the mighty Aussies completely crushed.

Defending the total, Australia restricted the Men in Green to 157 runs, depending on Dirk Nannes and Shaun Tait’s bowling brilliance. In the second innings, the Australian side created some magic, but everything failed to hide their disastrous last over.

Every day, cricket surprises fans with something new and nothing can be a better example of it than this over. Where the world talks about Australia’s unreal domination, some chapters tell a different story. The drama showcased how quickly fortunes can turn in T20 cricket, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.