The ICC launches the first World Twenty20 in South Africa in September 2007, and Herschelle Gibbs' unbeaten 90 from 50 balls in the tournament opener against West Indies sets the tone for an exciting fortnight
The following day in Cape Town, Zimbabwe stun Australia by backing up a fine bowling display with a mature innings from Brendan Taylor (60 not out from 45 balls). Local fans are as thrilled as the winning players
In Durban, India win a bowl-out to settle a thriller involving arch-rivals Pakistan after both teams finish on 141. Yasir Arafat, Umar Gul and Shahid Afridi all miss the stumps in cricket's version of a penalty shoot-out
A typically unconvincing performance from England in a major tournament sees them lose four of their five matches, finally limping out when Yuvraj Singh hits six sixes in a single over from Stuart Broad
Cheerleaders, a regular part of the tapestry in Twenty20 cricket the world over, herald the final in Johannesburg featuring Pakistan, conquerors of New Zealand in the semis, and India, who have easily eliminated Australia
India, cricket's most supported nation, win their first world title since the 1983 World Cup. Gautam Gambhir (75) and Irfan Pathan (3-16) are the stars as the team led by Mahendra Dhoni (left) win by five runs
England's Ashes summer of 2009 is preceded by the second edition of the tournament, and a rain-delayed opening match at Lord's between England and New Zealand attended by singer/presenter Alesha Dixon
England get bogged down with the bat and end up with 162-5. With Graeme Swann surprisingly rested, the bowlers fail to control the chase and the Dutch, led by Tom de Grooth (49) scramble a brilliant victory
The first major team to be eliminated are Australia. After a loss to a Chris Gayle-inspired West Indies, they post 159-9 at Trent Bridge only to lose with six balls to spare after another wayward bowling performance
The Irish beat Bangladesh, thanks to some fine work from the O'Brien brothers, en route to the Super Eights. But their journey ends with defeat to Pakistan at The Oval. Here, Andrew White is bowled by Umar Gul
Sri Lanka breeze into the final on the back of six wins in six matches, with star turns from spinner Ajantha Mendis, paceman Lasith Malinga, all-rounder Angelo Matthews (far right) and batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan
But Pakistan, despite poor early form in the tournament, peak majestically to claim the victor's spoils. Shahid Afridi, man of the match the semi-final against West Indies, is also the hero at a sun-filled Lord's
Afridi will return to captain a Pakistan side who have since been through considerable turmoil, both on and off the pitch, in their defence of this year's tournament in the Caribbean
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