The T20 World Cup 2024 is all set to start on June 2, 2024, and for the first time, 20 teams are going to play in this edition. All the teams are coming to the World Cup with lots of expectations, as they will look to make an impact in the World Cup. There is nothing new, every team wants to make an impact in multinational tournaments.
However, sometimes these aspirations go out of line, and players cross the line and find themselves in ugly fights. There have been numerous occasions in T20 World Cups in the past where players have been involved in banter. In this article, we have shortlisted five banter that have happened in the past that didn’t end well.
Top 5 fights in T20 world cups over the years
Yuvraj Singh -Andrew Flintoff classic banter
The Yuvraj Singh and Andrew Flintoff banter is one of the most talked-about fights ever witnessed at the T20 World Cup. In the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup that happened in 2007 in South Africa, when India faced England in a group stage match, Yuvraj Singh and Andrew Flintoff engaged in a heated argument.
After 13 years, Yuvraj Singh revealed exactly what happened between both of them, speaking to Kevin Pietersen. “I think Freddie bowled two good balls, and he bowled a yorker, which I managed to hit for a boundary. Then he told me that this was a dash shot, and he got pretty elaborate. He said, ‘I am going to cut your throat off,’ and then I replied, saying, ‘You see this bat in my hand? You know where I am going to hit you with this bat?’
Everyone is well aware of what exactly happened after that. Stuart Broad became the victim of Yuvraj’s assault. Yuvraj struck six sixes in Broad six deliveries and established a world record.
Mushfiqur Rahim’s premature celebration costs Bangladesh the game
Mushfiqur Rahim’s premature celebration against India in the T20 World Cup 2016 was the best example of how anger and premature celebrations, can destroy winning dreams. In the close encounter game, Bangladesh needed 10 runs off the last five balls.
Hardik Pandya was bowling the last over, and Mushfiqur Rahim smashed him for two back-to-back boundaries. This left the equation simply to two runs from three balls. When Rahim hit the second boundary, he started celebrating in the middle of the pitch. However, in the last three balls, Bangladesh lost two back-to-back wickets, and when two runs were required, MS Dhoni’s runout changed everything, leaving the Bangladesh team in shock as they lost by one run.
Sreesanth vs Matthew Hayden Sledging Incident
The 2007 T20 World Cup witnessed an interesting argument between India’s pacer S. Sreesanth and Australian batting great Matthew Hayden.
In the semifinal game between India and Australia, at a crucial moment when Australia was chasing 189. Hayden was hitting shots all over the park, Sreesanth delivered a magical ball that bowled Hayden out. As Hayden walked back to the pavilion, Sreesanth engaged in sledging, and in response, Hayden also got involved, igniting another classic confrontation.
Bangladesh once again!
As mentioned earlier, Bangladesh cricket has been known for its premature celebrations and on-the-field banter. There have been many incidents where Bangladesh players have been involved in ugly spats. In the 2021 T20 World Cup, which was held in the UAE, Bangladesh opener Liton was dismissed by Kumara.
Kumara was then seen stepping towards Das, and the duo exchanged a few words with their heads almost butting each other before they were separated. The dismissal led to an ugly scene between the batter and the bowler, the clash became too intense as umpires had to step in.
Pakistan’s Asif Ali bantered with Afghanistan team!
Pakistan’s fiery batter, who was in great touch in the 2021 World Cup. His cameo of 25 off just seven balls including four sixes against Afghanistan helped Pakistan cross the 145-run barrier in 20 overs.
However, his on-field heroics came under scrutiny when he celebrated with a gun shot gesture. Which Afghan players and their fans didn’t take well. Although it didn’t create too much fuss, but his way of celebrating received criticism.
