The final match of the T20 World Cup was a match where Shahid Afridi had the chance to wash away all the criticism he had faced in the past. He played one of the finest knocks he has ever played. It’s not that he wasn’t aggressive but he was sensible enough to finish the match for Pakistan. The Lankan Tigers didn’t have any answer for the approach with which Pakistan had planned their innings.
The Lankan Tigers won the toss and decided to bat first. The left arm seamer bowled with an accurate first over and he was awarded with the prize wicket of brutal Dilshan. Dilshan tried to clear third man and was caught doing so. Maiden first over with the wicket of Dilshan was all that Pakistan dreamt of as a brilliant start. Three balls later Jehan Mubarak fell for a duck of the bowling of Abdul Razzak. In a matter of time Razzak took two more wickets and the Lankan Tigers were struggling at 32/4.
Few overs later the score board read 62/6 and the Sri Lankans fans certainly looked disappointed. But after losing six wickets Sangakara and Mathews had an unbeaten partnership of 68 runs of just 42 balls. This partnership helped them achieve a very much defendable total of 138 runs. It was a great fight back by the Sri Lankans after they were struggling at 62/6. Now with their M4 pacer attack a score of 138 was quite defendable. Morover as compared to 62/6, 138 was a huge total to chase for the Pakistani batsmen facing the lethal Sri Lankan bowling attack.
But Pakistan had adopted an altogether different approach. They had partnerships which proved to be very crucial and made them the champions. Kamran Akmal and Shahzab Hosain were very conscious and sensible at the same time while opening the innings for the initial few overs. Against South Africa Akmal had scored 23 off just 12 balls and had looked very aggressive. In the final match we was both sensible and aggressive. By the end of 6 overs Pakistan had scored 39 without any loss of wicket. In the 6th, 7th over Akmal hit two sixes making it sure that the asking run rate doesn’t leap up too much and things are under control.
In the 8th over off the very first bowl bowled by Jayasuriya Akmal was stumped by Sangakara as he went down the wicket. The Lankan Side had the reason to smile as they got their first wicket. Soon Hosain who kept struggling departed as well after which Afridi and Malik began reconstructing the innings. Afridi who has grown so much into confidence played sensibly and played big hits whenever the run rate asked for so. Malik kept rotating the strikes and in the last 5 overs Pakistan needed just 36 runs to win with 8 wickets in hand.
Afridi scored his second consecutive fifty and with some power hitting towards the end gave his side one of the best memories to cherish forever. Shoaib Malik on the other end remained not out as Afridi boomed all the way! Pakistan won the match comprehensively by 8 wickets! Afridi remained not out on 54*(40 balls) and Shoaib Malik returned not out on 24*(22 balls)
Last time they had missed the trophy by just one hit and they have compensated it this time. Misbah Ul Haq would be a glad man to see his side winning this time. Afridi has made the real difference both with the bat and the ball. He proved his worth once he was promoted to number 3 slot and no doubt he has finally got his due for Pakistani cricket. Hats off to the champion player!
Pakistan was really deserving this title. Without any preparation they have done this.
They have come out as a TEAM in real terms
They played with teh perfect team though players like Sohail Tanveer and Salman Butt weren’t a part of the team
but the true potential came out with a TEAM performance
The world cup win will bring chear on many faces in Pakistan. In time of troubles it’s really a gift for the people of Pakistan.
Very True Arsalan
Its like a balm that would heal all teh aches.
Its a great moment of pleasure
Pakistan’s strategy for the final match was really a sound one. The whole team played according to the plan. The team was looking like a unit. They were deserving the title.
Yes Brajesh even I think that Afridi had a different set of mind
he knew that if he was cautious in the initial stages he could win the match for Pakistan and so he did!!
Good job Pakistan, Pakistani’s are resilient and honorable. good game chaps!
They really proved the worth of their potential!
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.
Pakistan put on quite a show and won all the matches purely on the basis of their talent and techniques. Proud of it.
and watching the winning shot with fellow friends—priceless moment...
Yes Kahirey they were the underdogs and also were underrated to a great extent,so without having much pressure and expectations they did the unexpected!!
Good Job! Both Pakistan and Srilanka! Pakistan you are awsome ...
Hi Craig
thanks for your comment
I guess the Lankan Side got too much dependent on Dilshan who was the brutal hero throughout their tournament and it clearly reflected in the final match
Great Game and all our prayers finally got accepted!
What a performance by Kamran, Afridi Boom Boom, Shoeb plus overall whole teams high spirited effort. Very well deserved the WIN.
yes they truly deserved it as it was a pleasing sight to watch Pakistani players reunite as a TEAM!!
Being going through every day turmoils; this bring the real happiness on their faces and a morale booster.
A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL PAKIS!
they missed the IPL
and they came back with great strategies which stunned the opponents!!
congratulations! a truly good news for you and your country.. clap, clap, clap
Afridi truly rocked!!
but one cannot ignore the batting contribution made by Kamran Akmal who laid the foundation of this memorable victory.
Boom Boom Afridi...i really love this player. Happy to see Pakistan win and giving the countrymen back home some respite from the troubled news that’s become a routine.
Hi Rakesh
thanks for your comment
even I love Afridi a lot and I am sure Afridi would be the happiest man on earth yesterday!
Dear All, Congratulation to friends of Pakistan for winning Pakistan team T20 Worldcup. Its a great team effort. Srilanka also played very well but the efforts and team spirit brings pakistan to create history and win the game.
Pakistan came with a different approach
they trusted in partnerships
and thats what made all the difference!!
Hi Suyash, you have done a wonderful job.Great writing.
In my opinion all thanx goes to Bob Woolmer(former coach of Pakistan). He was the man who assisted Afridi to improve his shot selection and offered him an unrestrained rein on the batting attitude.
Hi Mayank
you have made a valid point
I think once he was promoted to no 3 spot he became more responsible.
Against South Africa he felt that his presence is crucial to give a final finish to the match
he did the same in the final and the Pakistani fans went gaga for his approach
This time
Pakistan really deserved it....
And i really liked the way u wrote the last paragraph.....
Pakistan really deserves to win this. For sure they could make money by advertising all over. and it’s one way of establish a network.
first of all, congrats on getting this article published in the book ” boom boom Sahid Afridi” by Asif Noorani.
go ahead buddy, like to have more from you..... GaganA
