Cricket’s Most Memorable Last-Ball Finishes

6 November 2025

Cricket is a sport that thrives on drama, and there’s nothing more heart-stopping than a last-ball finish. Whether it’s a towering six that seals a victory or a nail-biting run-out that crushes one, these moments stay etched in the minds of fans for years. Cricket’s history is filled with such thrilling last-ball encounters that leave both players and spectators on the edge of their seats, hearts pounding, and emotions running wild.

In this piece, we’re going to dive deep into some of cricket’s most memorable last-ball finishes. We’ve all been there: glued to the screen, biting our nails, anxiously waiting for that final delivery. These jaw-dropping moments are what make cricket so special. So, let's relive some of the most unforgettable last-ball finishes, where the outcome hung by a thread till the very last second.

1. The 2019 World Cup Final – England vs New Zealand

Let’s kick things off with perhaps the most iconic and pulse-pounding last-ball finish in cricket history – the 2019 ICC World Cup final between England and New Zealand. If you were watching this match, you probably turned your living room into a mini cricket stadium, shouting, cheering, and possibly shedding a tear or two.

The match already had everything a cricket fan could wish for: the tension, the momentum swings, and the sheer unpredictability. But it was the final moments that made this game immortal. England needed 9 runs from 3 balls in the Super Over with Ben Stokes at the crease. A scrambled throw from Martin Guptill on the boundary allowed England to tie the Super Over, making them World Cup champions based on a boundary count rule – a rule that would go down in infamy.

Think about it: a World Cup final decided by the slimmest of margins and a tie in the Super Over? You couldn’t script a more dramatic finish if you tried.

2. Javed Miandad’s Last-Ball Six – India vs Pakistan (1986)

If you’re talking about last-ball finishes, you cannot forget Javed Miandad’s famous last-ball six against India in the 1986 Austral-Asia Cup final in Sharjah. This is the stuff of cricketing legend.

Pakistan needed 4 runs off the final ball to win the match, and Miandad was up against India’s Chetan Sharma. The tension was unbearable. Sharma bowled a full toss, and Miandad swung his bat, sending the ball sailing into the stands for a six. Just like that, Pakistan snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

What makes this moment even more iconic? It wasn’t just a regular match – it was India vs Pakistan, a rivalry that transcends cricket. Miandad’s six became a symbol of Pakistan’s dominance over their arch-rivals and remains one of the most talked-about moments in the history of the sport.

3. MS Dhoni’s Ice-Cold Finish – India vs Sri Lanka (2011 World Cup Final)

If there’s one man who has mastered the art of finishing games, it’s MS Dhoni. The 2011 ICC World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka is proof of that. This final was played in front of a packed Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, and India was chasing 275 for victory.

With the pressure mounting and the target within reach, Dhoni calmly walked in and took charge of the chase. It all came down to the 49th over when India needed 4 runs off 11 balls. Dhoni, with his signature cool-headedness, smashed Nuwan Kulasekara’s delivery for a huge six, sealing India’s victory and sparking wild celebrations across the country.

That six wasn’t just a shot; it was a moment of pure cricketing magic that will forever be etched in the hearts of Indian cricket fans. Dhoni’s calm demeanor under pressure is the stuff of legends, and this finish is the perfect example of why he’s considered one of the best finishers in the game.

4. Brett Lee’s Last-Ball Thriller – Australia vs West Indies (1996)

Brett Lee, the speedster from Australia, was involved in one of the most nail-biting last-ball finishes in the 1996 Carlton & United Series against the West Indies. Australia needed 173 to win in a rain-affected match, and it all came down to the last ball.

With Australia needing 1 run to win and the West Indies needing just 1 wicket, the pressure was intense. Lee was facing the final delivery, and Courtney Walsh was bowling for the Windies. Lee defended the ball and made a mad dash for a single. The throw came in, but Lee dived to make his ground, securing a heart-stopping win for Australia.

It was a moment of pure adrenaline, and the sight of Lee diving into the crease is one that fans will never forget. This match was a classic example of how cricket can swing from one team to another in the blink of an eye, especially in the final moments.

5. Dinesh Karthik’s Heroic Finish – India vs Bangladesh (2018 Nidahas Trophy Final)

If there’s one last-ball finish that will leave you breathless, it’s Dinesh Karthik’s incredible knock during the 2018 Nidahas Trophy final between India and Bangladesh. India needed 34 runs from the last two overs, and Karthik walked in with the pressure sky-high.

Karthik’s blitzkrieg of 29 runs off 8 balls, including a stunning six off the final ball, gave India an improbable victory. With 5 runs needed off the last ball, Karthik launched Soumya Sarkar’s delivery over extra cover for a maximum, sending the Indian dugout into a frenzy.

Karthik’s last-ball six wasn’t just a clutch moment; it was a testament to his nerves of steel. In those tense final moments, Karthik played a knock that transformed him into an overnight hero, and his six will be remembered as one of the best last-ball finishes in cricket history.

6. T20 World Cup 2022 – India vs Pakistan

There are few cricketing rivalries that match the intensity of an India-Pakistan clash, and the 2022 T20 World Cup match between these two nations delivered one of the most jaw-dropping finishes in recent memory.

With Pakistan posting a competitive total, India – led by Virat Kohli – found themselves in a tough position. It all boiled down to the final over: India needed 16 runs off 6 balls. Mohammad Nawaz was handed the ball, and the pressure was palpable. Kohli, having played one of the finest innings of his career, was up to the challenge.

After a no-ball drama and a free-hit that added to the tension, India needed 1 run off the final ball. Ravichandran Ashwin, showing ice-cool composure, calmly lifted the ball for a single, sealing a famous victory for India.

This match will be remembered not just for the last-ball finish but for Kohli’s masterclass under pressure. The game had everything: tension, drama, and a finish that left fans gasping for breath.

7. Australia vs South Africa – 1999 World Cup Semi-Final

If you ever want to understand the phrase “so close, yet so far,” just ask South African cricket fans about the 1999 World Cup semi-final against Australia.

South Africa needed 1 run to win off the final ball with Lance Klusener at the crease. The match was tied, but South Africa had wickets in hand. Klusener hit the ball and ran for a quick single, but a mix-up between him and Allan Donald led to a run-out. The match ended in a tie, but Australia advanced to the final due to having won the earlier Super Six stage.

This last-ball finish is one of the most heartbreaking moments in cricket history, especially for South Africa, who were left to rue what could have been. It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Proteas and remains one of the most dramatic ends to a World Cup match.

8. West Indies’ Stunning Chase – 2016 T20 World Cup Final

West Indies’ victory in the 2016 T20 World Cup final against England was nothing short of extraordinary. Chasing 156, West Indies found themselves needing 19 runs off the last over with Carlos Brathwaite on strike.

Ben Stokes, who was bowling the final over, must have felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. But Brathwaite had other plans. In an unbelievable display of power-hitting, Brathwaite smashed four consecutive sixes off Stokes to seal the win for the West Indies with two balls to spare. “Remember the name!” was commentator Ian Bishop’s iconic line, and it perfectly captured the moment.

Finishing a World Cup final with four straight sixes? That’s the stuff of dreams. Brathwaite’s performance will go down as one of the most clutch moments in the history of cricket, and it left fans around the world stunned.

Conclusion

Cricket, as they say, is a game of glorious uncertainties, and these last-ball finishes are proof of just how unpredictable and thrilling the sport can be. These moments, filled with tension, drama, and sometimes heartbreak, are what make cricket so captivating. Whether it’s a World Cup final or a bilateral series, the excitement of a last-ball finish is unmatched.

These iconic moments remind us why we love the game: for its unpredictable nature, the emotional rollercoasters, and the sheer joy (or despair) that comes with every ball. So, the next time a match comes down to the last ball, remember – anything can happen.