The inaugural T20 World Cup, held on September 11, 2007, witnessed a star-studded encounter between the West Indies and South Africa. Two of the most renowned power-hitters in the game, Chris Gayle and Herschelle Gibbs, set the stage alight with their explosive batting performances.
Gayle, known for his fearsome hitting, became the first batter to score a T20I century. His blistering knock of 117 off just 57 deliveries propelled the West Indies to a formidable total of 205/6. Gayle’s innings was a display of power and precision, featuring an array of towering sixes and exquisite boundaries.
However, Gibbs, South Africa’s talismanic opener, matched Gayle’s brilliance with an unbeaten 90 that guided his team to a thrilling victory. Gibbs’ innings was characterized by calculated aggression and deft shot-making. He found the gaps with ease and punished loose deliveries with clinical precision.
The South African bowlers, led by the experienced Shaun Pollock and the young Morne Morkel, found it difficult to contain the onslaught from Gayle and Gibbs. West Indies’ sloppy fielding and excessive wides also aided South Africa’s chase.
Gibbs, along with Justin Kemp (46* off 22), stitched together a match-winning partnership that sealed the victory for South Africa with 14 balls to spare. Graeme Smith, South Africa’s captain, also played a crucial role with a flurry of early boundaries.
The inaugural T20 World Cup got off to a pulsating start with the exhilarating performances of Gayle and Gibbs. Their batting exploits showcased the immense potential and excitement that the new format of the game had to offer.
