Carlos Brathwaite hit four consecutive sixes off the last over of the tournament as the West Indies became the first team to secure two titles ©Getty Images

Carlos Brathwaite hit four consecutive sixes off the last over of the tournament as the West Indies became the first team to secure two International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 titles with a dramatic four-wicket victory over England in a thrilling final at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

The West Indians required 19 off the final over in pursuit of 156 and Brathwaite ensured they reached their target in style, smashing Ben Stokes to all parts of the ground to guide his coutry to an incredible triumph.

The 27-year-old from Barbados, who eventually ended with an unbeaten 34, shared a crucial partnership with Marlon Samuels, who played a series of fluent shots on his way to finishing 85 not out, the highest-ever score in a World Twenty20 final. 

Success for the West Indies, whose pre-tournament preparations were marred by a dispute with their Cricket Board, had appeared unlikely as Joe Root took two surprise wickets, including dangerman Chris Gayle, early on in their reply to reduce them to 11-3.

They recovered and were favourites at the halfway stage of the innings but began to lose wickets at regular intervals as the disciplined bowling of Chris Jordan and David Willey, who returned figures of 3-20, moved England to the brink of victory.

The West Indies also won the women's tournament with an eight-wicket win over Australia
The West Indies also won the women's tournament with an eight-wicket win over Australia ©Getty Images

It looked to be going England’s way right until the first ball of the 20th over as Brathwaite heaved four straight Stokes deliveries into the stands, sparking wild scenes of celebration among the West Indian contingent.

Having lost the toss, England were put into bat and struggled early on, losing three wickets for just 23 runs though Root steadied the ship to help his side to a total they felt capable of defending.

A total of 155 was perhaps never going to be enough against the brutal power-hitting scattered throughout the West Indies batting line up, with Samuels and Brathwaite leading them to their second World Twenty20 title following their triumph in Sri Lanka four years ago.

The victory for the men came after their female counterparts had clinched their maiden title with a dominant eight-wicket win over Australia.

The Aussies, chasing a fourth successive crown, posted 148-5 from their 20 overs, thanks largely to Elyse Villani becoming the first player to score a half-century in the final.

In reply, the West Indies were given the perfect platform for victory thanks to Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor’s opening stand of 120.

The 18-year-old Matthews produced a sparkling knock of 66, which came off just 45 balls and included three sixes, while Taylor managed 59 before they reached their target with three deliveries to spare.