Following the final
Underdogs? Outsiders? Naah…WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!
People are out and about on the streets. Cars with national songs blaring out, flags all around. Bhangras are in full swing…
Hafsa: Thanks Champika. Your team was great too but I guess Pakistan were very confident and composed today.
Champika Fernando: Congratulations! I am disappointed. Except Sanga, everyone was pretty ordinary. Afridi and Abdul Razzaq were brilliant today.
The team is off for a lap of honour with the trophy changing hands every few steps or so.
And the trophy is handed over to Younus Khan…fireworks go off, confetti goes off!
Younus Khan: Yeah, that’s why I lost my hair.
Nasser: It was great thinking how you got Dilshan out.
The Pakistan team collect their medals from David Morgan. Maybe the Pakistani flair and support will make the ICC change its mind about hosting the World Cup 2011? Just a thought…
Sanga sings praises of his team and says he couldn’t have asked for more. Always gracious in defeat, is Sanga.
Tilikaratne Dilshan gets the player of the tournament award for his 317 runs throughout the tournament.
Afridi is the player of the match. Nasser Hussain called him Boom Boom Afridi when he called him up for the presentation.
Half the team is down in sajda. Akmal thanks the skipper and Afridi. Malik says he had pleaded Afridi to stay at the crease till the end. And stay he did. Still can’t believe it.
AND WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS! What a story, what a turnaround!
Oh and he got to his 50 in that over too. What a turnaround this has been from Afridi. He is a new batsman now! And a great deal of credit goes to Younus Khan.
‘He’s had enough! Lala goes for it! One six on the on side, followed by a four off a full toss! Seven needed off the last two overs. Phew! Relief.
Imran: Both hands. It is ours to drop now. The only thing that could do it is sweaty, nervy palms.
Hafsa: One hand on the trophy, Imran?
Hundred up for Pakistan. That should bring some relief to the Pakistan camp. 36 from 30, says the big screen at Lord’s. What a sight that is.
‘Well and truly in Pakistan’s favour now,’ says Ian Chappell. Aapke moun mein ghee shakar!
And Lala goes for it! Huge six off Murali at mid-on, followed by a cover boundary. Shaba Lala!
Imran: Lala is playing with a plan. We should trust in that. He has earned our trust this tournament, yaar.
Hafsa: Imran, should Lala go for it now?
So 64 needed off 48. Afridi and Malik at the crease. Udana in.
It is slightly tense now. Pakistan are favourites but two wickets have pegged them back a bit.
Was that commentator/blogger’s curse? Akmal goes trying to heave one down the ground to Jayasuria who is bowling his first over. The dance down the pitch results in a clean stumping from Sanga. Afridi is in and takes a well-worked single first-ball.
And eight an over we’ve got Imran. Akmal is playing sensibly. No slogging and we don’t need many big shots. Shahzaib, though, looks like he wants to go back to the dug-out.
Imran: We need eight an over.
Hafsa: Packed off-side field for Kamran Akmal. He does play a neat pull shot too. Kami played a beautiful cover drive in the first over. I don’t think these two openers will be looking to get off to a flyer but you don’t want to get too far behind the asking rate.
Imran: Great innings from Sanga. Yes, the momentum is with them but at the start of the innings, every Pakistani would have taken 139 to win.
Hafsa: From 70/6 to 138/6. These Sri Lankans never give up, do they? Game on!
Imran: Big two overs. 125 – very comfortable. Chasing 135…vert iffy. 10 runs make such a difference. Also, momentum is very important.
Imran: Nazar lag gayi.
Hafsa: What’s wrong with Gul? Where have his yorkers gone?
Sangakkara has quietly moved on to 50 and this is not good news for Pakistan. Mathews has been supportive and if Pakistan are to restrict Sri Lanka, they need Sangakkara’s wicket now.
Imran: It will be surprising if they make more than a 100 but a few swings from their tail and you never know.
Hafsa: Five overs to go. What should be a good total by Pakistan’s point of view? 100?
Imran: Younus has been so focused. Every wicket – he hasn’t celebrated at all. All about the next ball. Next wicket.
Now then. Six down. Only one recognised batsman on the field. Mathews comes in and the last thing he’d want is to face Afridi.
Imran: Yes. I would also like to add that this is a great batting track and the outfield seems to be lightening quick. It is a 160 pitch but its always difficult to chase in a final. Plus, it’ll turn for their spinners. We have to stay focused.
Hafsa: Imran, Pakistan’s fielding has improved tremendously. What do you think?
It seems like losing the toss has been a blessing in disguise for Younus Khan. Would he have batted first had he won it?
Imran: Younus Khan should just attack, attack, attack now! Great tactics from the captain so far. All credit to him
This is absolutely unbelievable stuff! The Lankan batsmen are falling one after another. The former and current Sri Lankan captains are on the field now. If Sri Lanka are to post a decent total, it will largely be down to this pair. What a job these two opening bowlers have done. Dawn’s cricket analyst Saad Shafqat had predicted that Pakistan will/should bowl first and hoped we’d restrict the Lankans to under a 100 runs. He also predicted this to be a one-sided affair. One-sided in Pakistan’s favour, of course.
Imran: Jaya has looked uneasy for a lot of the tournament. Early wicket – will it make him more inhibited or perhaps free him up and make him go for a broke?
Wow! What.A.Start! Looks like Younus is taking the final seriously after all. Excellent planning from the captain and his bowlers. Cramped Dilshan for room in the first few deliveries and had the perfect field positioning – short fine leg and thats where he scooped it.
Dawn.com’s resident cricket blogger Imran Yusuf reckons a lot will depend on Abdul Razzaq’s bowling. ‘Their openers off to a flyer or early breakthroughs for us,’ he says. For Imran’s advice to the Pakistan cricket fans can be found here.
Our journalist friend over in Sri Lanka Champika Fernando adds: Delighted that Sanga has won the toss! Ifwe are able to put up 150 runs on the board, it should be enough. You can find out more about the mood in Sri Lanka here.
I love the South Africans! Following the pre-match analysis on a South African sports channel and former South African batsman Daryl Cullinan has tipped Pakistan to win today!
The toss has taken place out in the middle and Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara has won it. Sanga says he will bat first, which means Pakistan will have to do the chasing once again. We did bowl first in the must-win Super Eight match against the Kiwis in which Umar Gul wreaked havoc.
Here we are. In nearly four hours from now, we will find out who the new ICC World Twenty20 champions are. Cricket experts and columnists all over the world (wide web) agree that having Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the final is great for the game of cricket on so many different levels. The memories of the Lahore attack, the progress of the two best bowling attacks of the tournament and the civil strife both countries are and have been engulfed in – make up for all the reasons why this is going to be one hell of a final.
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August 19th, 2009 at 14:00
Good Job done by the pakistan team,Shahid Afridi was the reason for the Lankan loss, he scored a brilliant half century,Pakistan is a team who gives surprises.
July 1st, 2009 at 19:28
I appreciate Aisam Ul Haq (Pak) and Prakash Amritraj (Ind), b’cause they played superbly in Wembeldon.
Victory and Lost is a part of game. I wish both to play like players not like Pakistani or as Indian. certainly We are, but let introduce some game spirit.
Congratulations Pakistan on the victory of T20 world cup.
July 1st, 2009 at 16:33
I am BUNTY from Pakistan Karachi. Congratulations to Pakistan Cricket team and of course you all Pakistanis! Your team played really awesome. BOOM BOOM BOOM Afridi showed his class the way he paced his innings..just when things were getting a bit hot-he clinched the match with a six and four! Great! I know and understand the pains you must be having. Hope the things will improve after the current operation and we will have our sporty neighbour shining in all sports…With Best Wishes..
June 29th, 2009 at 19:18
CONGRATULATIONS
OUR GREAT PAKISTANI CRICKETERS APPROVED THAT CRICKET IS NOTHING WITHOUT THEM,AND I HOPE SO THAT ICC WILL THINK ABOUT PAKISTAN FOR HOSTING WORLD CUP.
CHEERS
June 28th, 2009 at 11:48
Kudos to the entire cricket establishment of Pakistan on the occasion of their convincing victory in T 20 matches. In one stroke they have washed all the unpleasant past and gave the somber nation a reason to smile. Pakistani team needed a heroic victory to break away from the shackles of defeats and miseries; and finally they got it. Credit goes to the Captain who transformed the side of talented individuals into a winning combination and to Shahid Afridi who has brought back cricket to its old glory. Victory galvanizes the mood of the nation and it should remove the cloud of hopelessness from other horizons also.
In stressful times, government and people as well, make bad decisions. This victory should give Pakistanis a pep to think coherently in other spheres also.
Brilliantly erratic to downright mundane that’s how the Pakistan’s cricket team fared for sometimes – from one extreme to extreme. The team members were individually talented but dissipated when it came to crunch. However, their recent sterling performance made a successful statement before the world of cricket. They fought against all odds. There was nothing with them at the start to boast about and they won all in the end. All the pieces of victory were placed together in favor of the defending champions but they fell unceremoniously apart. Let it no be cricket alone but other fields of sports where Pakistan could do better. One thing the Pakistan team must learn, in this hour of victory – cricket is a very uncertain game and consistency is the point of winning.
June 26th, 2009 at 19:09
Thanks to ALLAH for this honour to our country.The consistency is though difficult but still possible under the coaching of Intikhab Alam for upcoming challenges.
Well done TEAM PAKISTAN.
June 26th, 2009 at 17:15
Underdogs? Outsiders? Naah…WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!
June 25th, 2009 at 11:56
I m very happy know that the T20 cup win pakistan i m very happy happy happy.
June 25th, 2009 at 9:03
Hay Juzba Junoon to Himmat na Har
Justujo jo Karay to Chuaay Aasman
Mehnit Apni Hogi
Pehchan Kabhi na Bhulo
Sub Ki Nazron Mayn Pakistan Kabhi na Bhulo
June 25th, 2009 at 1:12
We Indians are proud of our neibhouring brothers !
June 24th, 2009 at 20:29
The way Pakistan played in the finals was unbelievable. Great to see Pakistani team holding the world cup trophy .
Pakistan Zinda bad
June 24th, 2009 at 16:38
Dear Indian fellows there is no doubt that Pakistani cricketers done an excellent job and lifted the cup. As for as the economical conditions of the 2 neighbours are concerned, it is true that ours (India) econonmy is good as compared to Pakistan but the pooverty level of the people of Pakistan is significanlty lower than the ours (Indians). Over all our politicains are using cars like cartoons while Pakistani poliyticians using luxurious cars. I think Pakistan is a little bit ahead of India because the main economic power is if the people of a country are not living below the pooverty level.
I wish both the countries peaceful and good neighbours
June 23rd, 2009 at 20:00
Kudos to the pakistan team.
u played well, and deserved the cup.
i really like Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan, he is good as a captain and above all his honesty to admitt his weak english ,his request to other teams to visit Pak while admitting the prevailing conditions in the country,says a lot about his individuality.
Again congrtulations.
Anubhav
June 23rd, 2009 at 19:19
T20 FINAL WAS AN HISTORIC MATCH:::: WILL BE REMEMBERED FOREVER IN THE HISTORY OF WORLD CRICKET:
MAY ALLAH GIVE MORE SUCCESS IN FUTURE TO PAKISTAN TEAM—–AAMIN
June 23rd, 2009 at 17:17
Congratulation Pakis for your great effort in the interest of Nation.
Tha main basic difference between Indian and Pakis team is-Indians loose or win for money only.
Pakis win for nation and loose due to unfortunate day.
This is 100 % relevant.
June 23rd, 2009 at 15:57
It was wonderful to see the Pakistanis lift the cup which they missed last year. I had a hunch since quarter finals that Pakistan would make it. We in India rejoiced the win for our neighbours where cricket sufferred due to no cricketing reasons. The talented team rightly deserved the win. Congratulations.. Sudipto Dev Ray Silchar India
June 23rd, 2009 at 13:56
Great team and great win ! They were underdogs and even entering last 8 did not invoke much feelings. Beating Kiwis, South Africa and great Lankans was tremendous effort. Younus, Razzak, Akmal and Afridi were incomparable.Feel too happy for people of Pakistan, who deserved it.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:52
Congratulations, Pakistan! Real happy for all of you.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:02
Dear Pakistani
Congratulations on a great game. I am an Indian based outside India. I am very happy with Pakistan winning. A pakistan that is strong, optimistic is very good for India, just as economically strong India is very good for Pakistan.
Foolish politicians and militant/ extremist groups want to spread hatred between countries, which is good for neither country.
June 23rd, 2009 at 1:32
It was truly a phenomenal win by the Pakistani team, a good news that the people of Pakistan really needed after all the crisis that has been going on these days.
June 22nd, 2009 at 22:09
Congradulations!,
June 22nd, 2009 at 21:17
I had said before the match began that it would be a Sri Lankan victory. I must say that it went the other way and Pakistan emerged as a winner. I had to swallow my words, BUT WHAT a delightful swallow it was. Well, here is an Indian saying > congrats Pakistan for a fabolous victory that was worth ever penny deserved. I am no big fan of the unpredictable Shahid Afridi, but he did play magnificently with both bat and ball. He had that steely resolve in his eyes and fought hard and hard thr and thr to help his team win. Also, a special congrats to Abdul Razzaq for a good spell of bowling. His return seems to have uplifted his team and injected a fresh lease of life into it. Both these guys are just 29 years and are clearly at the peak of their careers. Again, congratulations, Pakistan. Enjoy it while the flavour is still alive.
June 22nd, 2009 at 19:53
“Stand Up for the Champions”.
Proud to be a Pakistani
June 22nd, 2009 at 16:18
Unbelievable! The country really needed this. Something for all to cheer and enjoy!
June 22nd, 2009 at 15:39
Green Men have again proved that they have the ability to rise from the ashes….
thumbs are up Green Men!!!!!
June 22nd, 2009 at 15:27
I am Abhay from Pune India. Congratulations to Pakistan Cricket team and of course you all Pakistanis! Your team played really awesome.Afridi showed his class the way he paced his innings..just when things were getting a bit hot-he clinched the match with a six and four! Great! I know and understand the pains you must be having. Hope the things will improve after the current operation and we will have our sporty neighbour shining in all sports…With Best Wishes..
June 22nd, 2009 at 13:55
Finally Pakistan has done it!!! Our team played like true cricketers and prayers of the entire nation were with them. So great work Team Pakistan and PAKISTAN ZINDABAD
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:59
What a graceful victory! Congratulations to all the Pakistani nation. We really needed it. Keep it going…
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:20
Congratulations Pakistan! Well deserved win.
The timing makes this more cherishable and hopefully will make the Pakistani take more pride in the nation.
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:07
Disappointment.
No more prediction.
The match was a short-lived one.
But, we all are so excited with the marvellous victory.
This match took very short time to conclude, which disappointed so many people.
But, good thing is—— no more waiting and guessing aroud.
Finally, a superb teamwork of the Pakistani players have proved to be fruitful and magnificent.
A golden victory, after 1992, has been achieved again.
Congratulations to the fans and the nation and most of all to the cricket team.
June 22nd, 2009 at 1:16
Indeed the whole nation needed this win! Its not only a trophy but it shows we are a nation of talented and determined people once we decide to get soemthing we can!! Congrats to pakistan’s team and the whole nation!
Monim
USA
June 22nd, 2009 at 0:11
This win should be dedicated to all the displaced people of NWFP/Pakhtoonkhwa and Pakistan Army
June 21st, 2009 at 23:12
what a great game!
June 21st, 2009 at 22:16
the game’s heating up now, as expected
June 21st, 2009 at 21:28
i think it’s going to be a really good game, whoever wins at the end.
June 21st, 2009 at 21:24
great job done till now, sustain it and you have a sure win in the making.
June 21st, 2009 at 20:22
Great start, yes. But Pakistan needs to be mindful of that run rate. oh wait…the 4th wicket just fell!!!