Cricket’s shortest format is built for chaos, but nothing sends fans into a frenzy quite like a tied match. In the high-octane arena of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where every run counts and every ball can be a game-changer, a tie isn’t just an outcome—it’s a cliffhanger that demands resolution. The recent, gut-wrenching double Super Over thriller between Afghanistan and South Africa in the 2026 edition has now etched its name into the tournament’s most dramatic chapter. But it’s far from the first. Let’s take a deep dive into the complete, electrifying history of T20 World Cup tied matches, from the very first in 2007 to the latest heart-stopper in 2026.
The inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 gave us the blueprint for future drama. In a group stage match in Durban, arch-rivals India and Pakistan produced a contest for the ages. Chasing 153, India found themselves at 148/9 with just two balls left. Enter Joginder Sharma, the unlikely No. 11. With three runs needed off the final ball, he managed to scramble a single, tying the scores at 152-all [[1]]. This historic first-ever T20 World Cup tied match was eventually decided by a bowl-out—a now-defunct method where India triumphed 3-0. This moment wasn’t just a tie; it was the birth of a new kind of cricketing rivalry in the T20 era [INTERNAL_LINK:India_Pakistan_Cricket_Rivalry].
Four years later in Pallekele, another classic unfolded. New Zealand posted a competitive 154/6. In reply, the West Indies, powered by Chris Gayle’s explosive 80, looked in control. However, a late collapse saw them finish exactly on 154/7. The match went to a Super Over, where Marlon Samuels’ brutal hitting helped the Windies post 21/1. New Zealand’s chase fell agonizingly short at 17/2, handing the West Indies a dramatic win [[2]]. This match showcased the true power of the Super Over as a decider.
The 2016 edition in Dhaka gifted fans one of the most tense finishes ever. Bangladesh, chasing 147, needed 2 runs off the final ball with their last wicket in hand. Mustafizur Rahman swung and missed, but the batsmen had crossed for a bye, tying the scores at 146-all [[3]]. In the Super Over, India’s Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni held their nerve, restricting Bangladesh to just 7 runs. Virat Kohli’s calm presence ensured India chased it down with ease, breaking millions of Bangladeshi hearts in the process.
In a Group 1 Super 12 match in Dubai, the defending champions West Indies faced a resurgent Australia. Both teams ended their 20 overs at 141 runs apiece [[4]]. The Super Over was a masterclass in pressure. Australia’s Glenn Maxwell and David Warner scored 12 runs. In reply, the Windies’ Evin Lewis and Shimron Hetmyer could only manage 10, handing Pat Cummins’ side a crucial victory in their eventual title-winning campaign.
The 2026 T20 World Cup in India has already given us its defining moment. At the Narendra Modi Stadium, Afghanistan and South Africa played out a match that will be talked about for generations. Both teams finished their regulation 20 overs at 187 runs. The first Super Over? Another deadlock at 17 runs each [[5]]. For the first time in T20 World Cup history, a second Super Over was required. South Africa’s David Miller and Tristan Stubbs smashed 23/0. Chasing 24, Afghanistan’s valiant effort ended on 19/2, with star batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz caught off the final ball [[5]]. The image of Gurbaz walking back, head in hands, is the perfect symbol of the cruel beauty of a T20 World Cup tied match.
These five tied encounters are more than just statistical anomalies. They are the purest distillation of T20 cricket’s essence: unpredictability, high stakes, and raw human emotion. They test a team’s nerve, strategy, and composure like no other format can. Each of these matches has produced iconic moments, launched careers, and broken hearts. They remind us that in sport, the journey is often as important as the destination, and sometimes, a tie is the most thrilling result of all.
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