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The evening that began with what must be one of the most intimidating overs in Twenty20 history, ended in a flurry of fours and sixes from Shahid Afridi’s free-spirited blade. In the three-and-a-half hours in between, there were only a few moments when Pakistan flirted with the uncertainty that so typifies their cricket.
And at the end, they had trumped a Sri Lankan team that had been clinical and unbeaten through the tournament by eight wickets — a margin of victory that indicated the difference between the teams on the day.
Captain Younis Khan, draped in a Pakistan flag, spoke emotionally at the post-match press conference. He dedicated the win to former coach Bob Woolmer, who died when with the team for the World Cup in the Caribbean. “I wish he was sitting here next to me.”
Younis, who also announced his retirement from Twenty20 cricket, spoke too of how much this win would mean to his people back home. “It is our gift to the people of Pakistan,” he said. At the end of the game, the streets of London had exploded in deliriously happy green; imagine then, the streets of Karachi or Lahore.
The fear going into this final was that they would implode, as they did in a final at Lord’s 10 years ago, almost to the date. Playing Australia for the 1999 World Cup title, they had been bowled out for an embarrassing 132 batting first. They needed, desperately, to hit the ground running this time.
Mohammad Aamer, all of 17, charged in first up and bowled five menacing climbers at Tilakaratne Dilshan’s ribcage. They rattled the tournament’s best batsman and, in attempting a half-pull, half-scoop, he popped one up to short fine-leg.
Abdul Razzaq, the ex-ICL rebel drafted midway through the tournament, then took over. Jehan Mubarak skied one while trying to whip him across the line, Sanath Jayasuriya nicked a short-arm jab on to his stumps, Mahela Jayawardene played a late cut straight to Misbah ul Haq at slip. Four down for 32 became six down for 70: it was Sri Lanka, not Pakistan, who were self-destructing.
Captain, Kumara Sangakkara watched the mayhem from the other end, shaking his head in disbelief at every wicket. He stayed till the end, and in the company of Angelo Mathews, took the total to a respectable 138. Not what he would have wanted winning the toss and batting, but defendable, given his strong bowling attack.
But Pakistan were not going to let this slip, not on this day.
Kamran Akmal thumped boundaries and sixes and ran between wickets like his life depended on it. Shahzaib Hussain struggled at the other end, but as a partnership, they worked their way past the early nerves.
They fell in the space of two overs, but Shahid Afridi, fresh off his single-handed demolition of South Africa, was in the mood again. He started with an uncharacteristic collection of singles, waiting for the right moment to unleash the big hits. Muttiah Muralitharan bore the brunt - going for a massive one over mid-wicket and a regal boundary to extra-cover. Isuru Udana suffered worse - 19 came off the 19th over of the chase.
Two years ago, Pakistan fell short by an agonising five runs against India. Today, they could’ve chased many, many more.
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Asalam-o-Alaikum Wa Wr to all Muslims.welldone Pakistan.we r the champions now they did brilliant job.hope will play like this again and again InshALLAH congratzzzzzzz all Pakistanis.again welldonw Pakistan
So the story is not about Pakistan's win, it is rather about Pakistan putting Lahore behind, well done very "Indian"express.
this is the best way of replying (as far as cricketers are concerns)to the Lahore terrorist and their "sponsors" "INDIA". you wanted to isolate us. God has isolated us from all the "losers" with distinction.wait for some other answers "in respective coins".
I am an Indian and I accept that Pakistan has won this world cup tournament with excellent courage and determination. We Indians lack this courage and I wish some day we will have the courage to admit it. Well done Pakistan. Your cricket team is the best in the world and we Indians should learn something from your team.
Ya congrgts pak frm prachi.
Isn't it really amazing to see that India which was considered to be the center of cricket world after IPL, ICL and all that have not been able to reach the finals, on the other hand Pakistan, a country which was isolated and pushed against the wall as far as cricket is concerned, nothing was favorable for them unlike India, have against all odds lifted the trophy and become WORLD CHAMPIONS.
Very Bad heading by Indian Express for deserving won. Why we always put salt in our every neighbors wound.
congratulations to the Pakistani Team,it was a very good win by Pakistan in this T-20 World cup,coz from last years it is very hard for this team to play even in their owm country.but talents counts and the team show that they are open and deserved to play and to participate in the every tournament.cricket has no religion,no politics,no ambiguity.it is a sport which always send a good and friendship message to the world.i would like to see soon the pakistani team to have series in india with my team.i wish pakistani team good luck in future.
What kind of a bullshit title is this? You pay for each sin by its weight in equivalent terms, man. How can they put Lahore behind by this victory? Beats me.No achievement can outwash previous blood satins. But their success is laudable and by far Shahid Afridi was the best all rounder in the whole of the tournament.
Pakistan ended up the tournament with an excited finish and this is the time to cherish for both the Pakistan and Indian fans. This is very much fortunate that both the T20 cups goes to our subcontinent regardless of India or Pakistan. so lets get together and celebrate this victory.
Dirty headline of marvelous victory.It is bad journalism
Thanks Santhanam
I think the indians needs ho have big heart to accept the glorius history of pakistan.Sad and bad thing is they take things personal which doesn't suit in to the sports.i would ask them to accept the victory and thanks to the destiny as this victory was not against them or they would have killed thier own team players upon returning back to india after defeat.
I m quite passionate pakistani guy, and I am proud of my team last nite when we snatch WC T20 from bloody Indians....we were near to win that 2007 WC as well...but it was just a bit of luck India had that day..Well now pakistan is World champs of T20..so all Indains just shut ur mouth and learn from pakistan how to play...PAKISTAN ZINDABAD
the country of Pakistan is a result sacrifice of lakhs of muslims. we are now passing through a time that is improving our strength and testing us to bear pressure. i believe one day we will be a super power.moreover indiain are not need to fear/worry of us. We believe in peace by good works like cricket, donations at public level as in swat and earthquake time....as a whole pakistani are peace lover and believe in friendship with neighbouring countries.
I am really dismayed by the vicious, snide and totally irrelevant comments of your readers. Why are they so envious of the Pakistan victory? Celebrate along with the rest of the world. This is the brotherhood of man - cricket sans frontieres.
Well really guys...i don't think we can ever patch up if we scrutinize each other on every occassion. Let us see the good things in each other and try to appreciate rather than pointing fingers.. After all we are not politicians..Lets stop this hate messages here....
Though separted from the Indian subcontinent, Pakis still have some tallents which they learned while in India. Congratulations. Leave Indian Kashmir, we Indians are there to takecare our teritory, beware and look into your country(Pakistan), the time is not far, your terorist will overpower the occupied pakistan including ur Atom bomb.
when India won 20 20 series lastyear,see all teh news paper of paksitan and comments published in these newspapers, you will never see the negative remarks against India. still Youroj is favourate player of most of Pakistanis.However it is shock to see the remarks of some Indians who ars still showing narrow minded sentiments.Its only game.....and take it as a game only....I appreciate some of teh commentators who have showed their open mindeness coments....
try to accept the Pakistan Victory bcus this is truth bigger then you coated. and don't forget to chk the match videos you may saw many like this in ur movies but this is real from the real heros.
I am an Indian and hail from chennai, but i am really happy to see how Paki team has performed over the past few days...they were not fav, they lost few warm up matches... but as time went on ..they rose to the occasion and finally had lift the cup. It is truly the victory of the passion the carry for the game and their country.. Surely their nation must be proud of them.. They are the best ambassadors of peace at this moment... For now the whole world should stand and respect these men rather then spreading hatred messages. I am proud that this asian team shown the strength of character in them... Be it an indian or pakistani...what is more important is to be a human before labeling ourselves with a country tag. Good work guys..Keep the momentum going...
Congratulations to the Pakistan cricket team they played to a plan and they won they deserve this win .The Sri Lankan cricket team was foxed from the first over and Dilshan fell into the trap set by the Pakistan Team in the first over itself without scoring.The Pakistan team on the whole did not panic till the end this victory for them was a well earned win Good Luck.It is high time that Jayasuriya, Muralidaran , Jayawardena retire from T- 20 cricket . Why the Sri Lankan team continued with playing Chamara Silva and Mubarak in the final when it was a known fact that they did nt perform in the previous matches,It is Million dollar question which Mr Asanta De Mel has to answer to his people. CONGRATULATIONS PAKISTAN WELL DONE......
In response to Indian 'pakistan so callled victory'..just like i said..khushi tou dekhi hee nahi jaa sakti!:)
you are right , no pakistani newspaper has facility to post comments.. LOL thats why they posting here !!
i must honestly say : . . . . CRICKET AND TERRORIST TRAINING INSTITUES