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Karachi: Former Pakistan player Misbah-ul-Haq recalls the loss to India in the first T20 World Cup final in 2007. Pakistan lost by five runs in a thrilling final. Needing 13 runs to win in the last over bowled by Joginder Sharma, Misbah hit a six to bring the Pakistan team close to victory. Later, Malayali player Sreesanth caught the player who tried to reverse scoop and threw him out.
Misbah has now openly admitted that overconfidence led to Pakistan’s defeat. His words were said while participating in a program of Star Sports Channel.
Batting first in the final at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on 24 September 2007, India scored 157 runs thanks to Gautam Gambhir’s 75 off 54 balls and Rohit Sharma’s 30 off 16 balls. Misbah said that Pakistan were confident of beating the target easily because of the short boundaries on the Wanderers.
“We were very confident because of the nature of the pitch and the length of the boundaries. It was difficult to defend runs here for India who depended more on spin bowling. Things are not easy for the spinners at Wanderers. Harbhajan Singh was their main bowler at that time. It was quite difficult for an off-spinner to bowl there with short side boundaries. “We are good spinners,” said Misbah.
“We thought it wasn’t such a difficult target to chase down. A good start was enough. But there was a quick loss of wickets between 2-3 overs and it was Imran Nazir’s run out that really put the pressure on. At one point we were 77 for six. The loss of wickets made the target difficult. “Overconfidence made things worse,” added Misbah.
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Photo: Getty Images
Karachi: Former Pakistan player Misbah-ul-Haq has reminisced regarding Pakistan’s loss to India in the inaugural T20 World Cup final in 2007. Pakistan fell short by five runs in a nail-biting final. Needing 13 runs off the last over bowled by Joginder Sharma, Misbah launched a six to bring Pakistan closer to victory. However, Sreesanth, a player from Kerala, caught Misbah attempting a reverse scoop and dismissed him.
Misbah has now candidly admitted that overconfidence was a contributing factor to Pakistan’s defeat. He shared his thoughts while participating in a program on Star Sports Channel.
Batting first in the final at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on 24 September 2007, India posted 157 runs thanks to Gautam Gambhir’s 75 runs off 54 balls and Rohit Sharma’s 30 runs off 16 balls. Misbah explained that Pakistan felt confident of chasing down the target comfortably because of the short boundaries at the Wanderers.
“We were extremely confident due to the pitch conditions and the proximity of the boundaries. It was difficult for India, who heavily relied on spin bowling, to defend runs here. Spinners often struggle at Wanderers. Harbhajan Singh was their primary bowler at that time. It was considerably challenging for an off-spinner to bowl there with the short side boundaries. We excelled in spin bowling,” Misbah shared.
“We believed the target wasn’t a challenging one to chase. A strong start was all we needed. However, we lost wickets quickly between the second and third over, and Imran Nazir’s run out significantly increased the pressure. At one stage, we were 77 for six wickets. The loss of wickets made the target challenging. Overconfidence escalated the situation,” Misbah added.
The Role of Overconfidence in Pakistan’s 2007 T20 World Cup Final Loss
Karachi: Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has reflected on the heartbreaking loss to India in the inaugural T20 World Cup final in 2007, revealing that overconfidence played a significant role in their defeat. Pakistan fell short by five runs in a thrilling contest at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, despite needing only 13 runs off the final over bowled by Joginder Sharma. Misbah, following hitting a six to bring Pakistan tantalizingly close to victory, was caught by Sreesanth attempting a reverse scoop.
Overconfidence Led to a Costly Defeat
Misbah candidly admitted that Pakistan’s overconfidence proved to be their undoing, a sentiment he shared during an appearance on Star Sports Channel. “We were very confident because of the nature of the pitch and the length of the boundaries,” Misbah elaborated. “It was difficult to defend runs here for India, who depended more on spin bowling. Things are not easy for the spinners at Wanderers. Harbhajan Singh was their main bowler at that time, and it was quite difficult for an off-spinner to bowl there with short side boundaries. We are good spinners,” he added.
A Confident Start Turns into a Chase
India, batting first, posted a respectable 157 runs, thanks to Gautam Gambhir’s impressive 75 off 54 balls and Rohit Sharma’s quickfire 30 off 16 balls. Pakistan, buoyed by the short boundaries, believed they might chase down the target comfortably. “We thought it wasn’t such a difficult target to chase down. A good start was enough,” said Misbah. However, the chase took a dramatic turn, with Pakistan losing wickets in quick succession between the second and third overs. “The loss of wickets made the target difficult. Overconfidence made things worse,” concluded Misbah.
The Crucial Wicket of Imran Nazir
The run out of Imran Nazir, in particular, proved to be a turning point in the match, putting immense pressure on the Pakistan batting line-up. At one point, Pakistan were reeling at 77 for 6, making the target seem insurmountable. “The loss of wickets made the target difficult. Overconfidence made things worse,” Misbah concluded.
Lessons Learned From the Defeat
The 2007 T20 World Cup final was a stark reminder for Pakistan, highlighting the importance of staying grounded and avoiding complacency in high-pressure situations. Misbah’s admission of overconfidence serves as a valuable lesson for current and future generations of cricketers, emphasizing the need to maintain focus and composure throughout a game, no matter how favorable the circumstances may seem.
The Impact of the Defeat
The defeat in the 2007 final, despite the inherent drama and excitement, was a significant blow for Pakistan cricket. It served as a turning point for the team, highlighting the need for better strategies and a more disciplined approach to crucial matches. The lessons learned from that experience continue to resonate, inspiring Pakistan to strive for greater consistency and mental toughness in high-pressure encounters.
Learning from the Past
The story of Pakistan’s loss in the 2007 T20 World Cup final is more than just a tale of a lost opportunity. It serves as a valuable lesson in the importance of remaining humble and focused, even in the face of apparent advantages. Misbah’s candid reflection on their defeat offers insightful guidance for aspiring and established cricketers alike, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to any game, regardless of the setting or the opponent. It is these moments of defeat that often lead to greater strength and determination, shaping the path towards future success.