World of Cricket Contest Series | Contest - 1 :: My Most Favorite World Cup Memories

Well, if you are following me, you know I am a huge fan of Cricket. Watching matches is one thing that always releases my stress. No matter the format, country, or league at least I try to have an update on the scorecard. I guess it will be the same for most of you. That's how this lovely game has been bound to us!

Throughout the 12 editions of the Cricket world cups, Cricket has been evolved with time leaving a number of footprints. Sri Lanka, winning the world cup in 1996 is the turning point in the country. The journey which began from there has come up a long way now. I was more into the game from the 2007 world cup.

So, let's see my favorite moments in the ICC world cup history.

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Well, it's four wickets in four deliveries by Lasith Malinga in 2007 world cup against South Africa.

Well, who doesn't know Mali? He is one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time and is popular for his unique action and wide range of variations in his bowling. So, let's move to the game.

ICC Cricket World Cup - 2007

It was a perfect tournament in every aspect held in the West Indies. I think you can remember the beautiful official song of it. And most of the teams were well balanced in that edition.

It was a super eight match against South Africa on March 28, 2007, at Providence Stadium in Georgetown. Sri Lanka was only able to score 209, with the five-for from Charl Langeveldt. It seems like an easy target for the mighty South African team, slowly cruising towards their target having 206-5.

Lasith Malinga came to the attack in 45th over again. He could clean up Shaun Pollock and Andre Hall in the last two balls making the contest more exciting.

Malinga is appealing for a wicket

In the next over Sri Lankan legendary pacer, Vaas was able to restrict the SA just for one run.

The miracle happened in the 47th over. well-set Jacques Kallis was sent back to the pavilion to complete his first hattrick.

Celebrating his first hat-trick

But he didn't stop his hunt. In the very next ball, he dismissed Makhaya Ntini becoming the first cricketer to pick up four wickets off four consecutive balls.

after taking the fourth wicket

South Africa still managed a victory. But the journey started by Mali at that time finished with 5 hattricks in his carrier. Most by any bowler.

His Performance

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Sri Lankan team was able to come to the finals at that edition. But unfortunately lost to the mighty Australian team, breaking the hearts of millions of people.

Other Memorable Performances

• Kumar Sangakkara scoring 4 consecutive tons in the 2015 world cup against Bangladesh, England, Australia and, Scotland, becoming the first man to do so.

• The final match of the 2019 Cricket world cup between New Zealand and England. It was one of the thrilling and nail-biting matches in entire Cricket history. The match was tied and went for a super over. And ironically it was also a tie. So, the winner was chosen by boundary count according to the ICC rules, making the England world champions for the first time.

celebrating the victory

• 2011 India winning the world cup against Sri Lanka. The final six of Dhoni against Nuwan Kulasekara and the smile of Sanga will be haunted in the mind for a very long time.

His iconic smile

• Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga set the first double-century opening partnership in World Cup history in 2011 against Zimbabwe. Dilshan scored 144 and Tharanga scored 133 there.

• The win of Sri Lanka against England in 2019. Sri Lanka only affords to score 232 runs. Having a very strong batting line up, it was a pretty easy task for the England team. But again the Sri Lankan bowling attack lead by Mali gave us a thrilling ending.

The winning moment

It's hard to stop writing the memories given to us. But these are my favorites. Hope you will enjoy the article.

Thank you!
Best Regards!