Pakistan Emerge as THE LORDS of LORD’S Winning the T20 World Cup

Pakistan’s sense of purpose was written all over as was evident right from the first ball of the match, a rising beamer from Mohammed Amir that left Tillekatane Dilshan flummoxed. Ball#5 and the tournament’s topmost scorer was seen walking back to the pavilion after he had uncharacteristically scooped one into the safe hands of Shahzaib. Oh, the pressures of the big occasion!

Over#2 was no less eventful. Shahzaib was ready again to accept Jehan Mubarak’s miscued hit off bowler Abdul Razzaq. Sri Lanka, 2 for 2. Sanath JayasuriyaSanath Jayasuriya did attempt to wrest back the initiative to the Sri Lankan side but his heroics were shortlived as he played on in Razzaq’s next over as the bowler lay sprawled on the ground having taken a fall on his follow through. (Refer the pic, “Hey, I may be down but Sanath’s OUT!!”.

Over#6 and Razzaq was able to induce a nick from Jayawardene with Misbah lunging to his left to juggle a catch and managing to clutch it close to his dear heart while at the non-striker’s end Sangakkara looked like he his heart in his mouth. Razzaq had claimed three scalps from the three overs he got to bowl by then (he was not given his 4th in the game again) and one wondered what a prize catch he has been for Pakistan returning back into the national side from the outlawed ICL. (Whatever his price was at Lahore Badshahs or Hyderabad Sultans, for whomever he played in ICL, is another story though!).

Over#12. Gul scalps Silva. Over#13. Afridi scalps Udana. At 70 for 6, Sri Lanka at that time was not even managing a run rate of run-a-ball 6 per over. It was upto Sangakkara then to stand up and be counted. Well supported by Mathews he played a gritty captain’s knock to restore some dignity as Sri Lanka ended up with 138 for 6 at the end of 50 overs. Sangakkara was not out on 64 made from 52 balls while Mathews had essayed a cameo knock of 35 off 24 deliveries.

There was a time in the match when getting to a total of 120 had looked far-fetched, so the Lankans must have thought they at least have something to bowl at. But the Pakistani batters had entirely different thoughts.

The green caps’ innings was laced with a mix of caution and aggression which enabled them build useful partnerships upfront. The opening partnership was broken when the score was 48 as Kamran AkmalKamran Akmal got over-ambitious and stepped out to the wily Jayasuriya only to be foxed by him leaving Sangakkara to do the rest behind the stumps. Shahzaib departed soon after leaving it to Shahid AfridiShahid Afridi and Shoaib AkhtarShoaib Akhtar to overhaul the Sri Lankan total by hanging on till the job was done.

Once again Afridi shone both with the bat and ball and had amassed an undefeated 54 off 40 deliveries when Pakistan scampered home to victory. He must have been written off a hundred times but this guy still remains special. You need to know how to get the most of him. Younis KhanYounis Khan seems to know that too well and a caption on the banner in the stands did proclaim it all perfectly. (Refer the pic, “There’s only ONE Shahid Afridi").

It was great to watch the Pakistani players remember Almighty Allah in their hour of joy by kneeling down and touching their foreheads to the ground (refer the pic, God Almighty made it possible).

If there was any doubt in the minds of critics about the ability of the effervescent Pakistan team to last the distance it was laid to rest whole and square by the Champion team (refer the pic, Proof that Pakis are T20 Champs!). The critics should have known better. After all, any team which has Sohail TanvirSohail Tanvir on the bench has to be GOOD. Right?

If there was any doubt about Younis Khan’s ability as a captain that was laid to rest too. Younis emerged as only the second Pakistani captain to bring home a World Cup showing to the world that it probably takes a Khan (if you are a Pakistani) to win a World Cup. Imran KhanImran Khan had achieved the earlier feat in 1992 bringing back his band of boys from the brink of tournament-eviction (much like Younis did this time around) to lift the World Cup in the 50 over version of the game.

Younis might have felt he has achieved his all in the T20 format as he was quick to announce his retirement from the slam bang version of the game soon after lifting the 2009 World Cup. It’s always great to sign off on a winning note, right!

I wouldn’t be able to sign off though without stating this: You can take Cricket out of Pakistan, but You CANNOT take Cricket out of a Pakistani.

After 8 months of near sabbatical from the game Pakistan proved that they were more hungry than ever to leave their mark on the world of cricket. This renewed thirst of the Pakistanis definitely augurs well for the great game.

- myVox