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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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Life is a mixture of twist and turns and Pak has tasted that bitterness. Their T20 Win will definitely bring sort of happiness in their country which is marred by so many internal fiascos. India always salute to the winners and if the winner is our neighbour with whom though we have bit of differences, we always feel delighted and wish them Congratulations which at this moment they really deserve. In a way Pak put bit of ointment on India's wounds of being out of the tournament because trophy is just next door as it was in 2007 for them. Pakistan was out of cricket for too long and most of the teams refused to visit them for security reasons, but this win will put them on top of the list to play with any top level team. There is great similarity between Indian Yuvraj and Paki's Afridi. Dhoni made little mistake in not putting Yuvi in forefront as Pak put Afridi, otherwise this final would have been between two nations as India Pak final. Three cheers to you all from all Indians.
Congratulations Pakisthan. For winning this against all the odds.
The comments shows how deep rooted inferiority complex is in Pakistanis. A little fake victory and they loose their head. No one gives a damn to this staged drama.Just like a so much aid coming to Pakistan just to reduce their nuisance value for civilized world so this is compensation for the humilation they suffer from no team going to terror infested country.
i am really disappointed to see indians writing such hateful comments on pakistanis, and a few of them forget so conveniently what a big deal it was when india won the first world cup. Nobody on pakistan's end criticized them, as they played a good game, and won. India weren't even the favourites last time and they won the cup, the same has happened to pak, and they really need this bit of success. Instead of being jealous and angry, try and fix your own team's issues. Your team is going on the same path the pakistani team was once on, that is division, and disunity, particularly with the dhoni and sehwag issue, and the kirsten/bcci saga. Cricket is just a game, enjoy it and keep politics out of it. Some terrorists do not represent the whole of pakistan, I thought indians are educated enough to understand that
Why are all these pakis suddenly here.They finally won something and they want to boast about it.Congratulation on victory fellas but as the saying goes Rome was not built in a day.You still have a long way to go.Nobody in India is jealous as you think but when you come to a forum and start abusing a whole country it shows your complexes.Why don't you guys take a deep breath and try to relax.Once again good luck for your team.
This victory may be big thing but nothing for this world.But pakistanis suffer so much from inferiority complex that even a bread lying in a gutter looks food to them. It is sheer cheapness of people who never had anything good happeneing in their lives to abuse hospitality of this paper like c grade bafoons.The comments are reflection pf a pakistani mindset that has convinced that ntohing good ever going to happen for them but suddenly.. others make an error and dat becomes your gain. As far as comments agianst india are concerned let me tell you one tournament that too like Twenty20 never decide fate of a team.There is not even a single youngster in Pak team that impressed anyone just mediocres. I still believe SA Ind Aust and Srilanka are top teams in the world.
Congrats pak
Hei stop blame each other...Its fact that pak won t20 championship..congrats to pak....Indians if you r realy patriots u say thanks to our indian cricketers because keep losing the game will cause people losing the interest in criket which will help our nation to promote other sports..Dont u like our country become a sporting country like China and US..Dont you like our country participates in Biggest sporting event of FIFA world cup..For all these we need our people stop watching cricket nd pay little attention on other sports...we shudnt be like 'Frog in a well'..Come out from this world of criket nd suport our nation to bring medals in plympics..So better pakis keep on winning in criket...its bad for their sports...
It is just a fluke but so low is pakistan that even this is big deal for them. just sheer luck no one gives a damn to it. I fail to understan why stupid IE is posting the comments of a terrorist nation
I agree with you Abu bakar.
Here is a qoute for indians:"Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm. Sir Winston Churchill"Yeah!.we've got the spirit of a muslim.................remember that LOOSERS...........ha ha ha
I really agree with you comments. We both india and pakistan is almost the same national. we in Pak is sad to know the india did not do well this world. We love india and indian people as they are same as we in Pakistan. Long live Pak and india.
Congratulation on your victory Pakistan :-), May Allah guide you to all good always.
u all taking about pakistan being beger nation look at ur self 80 millions of ur brothers have converted to christanity for what i guess u know better than me for roti roti roti it,s make u beggar or us.
india is past Pakistan is future ..............
pakis no need to be so happy...we still defeated your team in practice match...remember
Its really funny to read indian public comments there, because if srilanka show there turn in favor of pak then what about indian team? they lose there all 3/3 super 8 matches, i think the favor of entire world is with india so why they not won even a singly match in super 8 round! thats totally rubbish comments and thinking if any one thought, i understand indian public feelings on pak vicrory other wise india is the biggest courtyard of state terrorism in there different states not only in kashmir.
Hey all pakistani lovers I know that you are very happy but dont hurt indians feeling as you can guess they are very frustrated, sad and jealous of pakistan's victory. Indians you can cry but you cannot change the reality that we are T20 champions.
INDIA we have won the cup, now just sit at ur home and do on what u r good at viz isolate pakistan from cricket world by doing terrorism. NO one can stand infront of us. So INDIA keep ur mouth shut. Shove up the cricket and sit home. WE R THE CHAMPIONS by the GRACE of ONE AND ONKY ALLAH
there are lots of ignorant comments- with regrets, but mostly from Indians. get a life and cheer up the fact that the cup is in south asia again. do remember that Pakistan is a team who did not play any major teams of late and certainly none of the players were in IPL- which i think should be ban anyway as it is the biggest fraud and diservice to Cricket. IPL is so fake and useless when it comes to real cricket. well done pakistan and keep it up. i do not know whether many people are aware that the three big in Pakistan team- Younas, Afridi and Gul are all pukhtoons.
How shameless media of India can be. They are covering news report of Pakistan. Why... A badminton player won Indonesian Title for the Nation India by putting hard work and effort. Inspite of that they report pakistan... pakistan. Indian cricketers are paid heavily, but cannot beat national teams beyond bangladesh and ireland. Shame...Let see what reception Saina gets when she returns to India.
It was our day. Totally was! Brought back memories from 1992. I do not wish to criticize India or any other team, but for those of you who are sulking over Pakistan's victory, just FACE IT. Pakistan put on quite a show and won all the matches purely on the basis of their talent and techniques. And i am quite sure no one would just hand over the WORLD CUP, for the sole reason that they pity a certain country, llango. Pakistan won fair and square! :) :). Long live Pakistan! :). PROUD!
It is the policy to ICC to revive cricket in the courtyard of terrorism.Otherwise the cricket would have finished in pakistanICC should get best management award for corruption and match fixing.
All pakistanies are happy because Pakistan has won the T20 worldcup. But I am happy on the weeping indian team and all dose who are weeping along wid dem.The Indians are really biggest show-offz on planet.
After looking at Lanka's performance today on live, came to conclusion that, Lanka blame it on them for accepting offer from Pak. For whatever Pak (along with China) helped lanka immensly in recent war with LTTE, so now it's Lanka's turn to return some favor to Pak in this way. How can such a strong side Lanka is playing one sided? probably this is the reason. Any how good show. It's lesson for Indian cricket players, who entertained like a jokers in IPL and ignoring international matches like secondary preference, now Pak proved they can match in second T20 final.