PakistanPAKISTAN Champions of Twenty20 -By Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal

PakistanPAKISTAN Champions of Twenty20

- By Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal

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By crowning Pakistan with world Championship on 21 June, the “beloved” cricket world has rubbed salt on big wounds of the 20/20 India and Indian pain is understandably unbearable. It is more devastating than the repeated hard thrashes Indians received when the opponents, both friendly and others, kicked them even after they fell to their feet showing their gate passes promptly; but the opponents, freedom from the cricket mafia control mechanisms, just crushed the passes as well as stamping them harshly under their deadly feet. Too bad anti-Indians indeed! The more Indian strategists and media hawks try to make world pro-India, the worse for great India . India has plenty of resources, white and black, but is unable to secure the 20/20 championship with all campaigns and maneuverings.

The first Indian reaction to Pakistan’s magnificent victory was to ask the judges in Mumbai courts to do enough" on terrorism case and courts promptly issued notices to terrorists, basically Indians, who are supposedly hiding in Pakistan seconds after the Indian Mumbai Terrorism. USA has asked their tourists citizens to avoid India, a terrorist state.

I – Towards the Trophy

Pakistan is the champions! Islamabad has won an international cricket tournament after 17 years when they outplayed Sri Lanka by eight wickets to become World Twenty20 champions at the Lord's London . It was way back in 1992 when charismatic Imran KhanImran Khan came back from retirement to lead Pakistan to ODI World Cup victory Down Under. Younis KhanYounis Khan Sunday made sure that his name will be taken in the same breath as Imran, leading the so-called “underdogs” to title triumph. However, there was not even synthetic excitement as Pakistan planned the downfall of Sri Lanka and executed it brilliantly, chasing down 139-run target coolly with eight balls to spare. Pakistan, who fell agonizingly short in 2007 in SA and have been through so much strife as a country in the two years since, have pulled off a magnificent victory. Lord's is a sea of roaring green. Indians almost destroyed the world atmosphere with their semi-explosives when they by fluke clinched the trophy by defeating Pakistan .

By skillfully playing with both bat and ball, Pakistan rose to the occasion in style as they outplayed Sri Lankan tigers to win the ICC World Twenty20 final by eight wickets at Lord's on 21 June. Runners-up to India in the last edition, Pakistan , who were beaten by the Lankans by 19 runs in the Super Eights, made sure there was no disappointment this time as they comfortably chased down 139 for two and won with eight deliveries to spare. Their convincing display with the bat was augmented by an unbeaten half-century from man of the match Shahid AfridiShahid Afridi, who scored 54 from 40 deliveries, inclusive of two boundaries and two sixes. He was involved in an unbroken stand of 76 runs off 59 deliveries for the third wicket with Shoaib MalikShoaib Malik, who made 24 from 22 deliveries.

Fantastic game of cricket this. It was not all too hunky dory for Pakistan when things were going slow for them during the middle overs but a few overs of Afridi's brilliance changed things around. 139 was not the stiffest of totals but with a bowling line up of Sri Lanka to deal with, Pakistan could never have afforded to take it light. Kamran AkmalKamran Akmal and Shahzaib Hasan got off to a cautious start and made steady progress. Shahid Afridi struck an exuberant unbeaten 54 to take Pakistan to an eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the Twenty20 World Cup final at Lord's on 21 June. Razzaq was playing his cricket with a new lease of life after being giving another crack at international level. He wasn't part of the original squad, but Yasir ArafatYasir Arafat's injury that prompted the switch now looked like a stroke of fortune. Kamran Akmal (37) and teenager Shahzaid Hasan (19) gave Pakistan a rollicking start while Afridi's blitzkrieg, and Malik's 24 not out took them home. The rot set in the moment in-form Tillakaratne DilshanTillakaratne Dilshan was surprised by a well-directed bouncer as his mistimed pull ended in an easy catch behind the square. Then Malik and Afridi batted sensibly to make sure that there are no heart attacks for the Pakistani fans.

Pakistan got off to a confident start when Kamran Akmal cracked Mathews through the covers for a boundary in the first over of the innings. A few quiet overs followed before Shahzaib Hasan and Akmal hit a boundary each off Udana to take Pakistan to 26 after just four overs. Shoaib Malik played his part with 24 off 22 balls in a match-winning stand of 76 after Kamran Akmal had given early impetus to the top-order. The batsmen knew they didn't have to take many risks and played Ajantha Mendis better than any other team as he went for his most expensive spell of the tournament.

Lankan skipper Kumar SangakkaraKumar Sangakkara decided to set the target on winning the toss, but their innings were soon in disarray, losing their top four batsmen in the first six overs, Abdul Razzaq claiming three of the wickets. Indians were “nearly ready” for another electrifying innings of indefinable strokeplay from Tillakaratne Dilshan who has made maximum number of runs so far in 20/20, to shatter all Pakistani hopes. Lanka won the toss and Sri Lanka will bat. "We just want to enjoy the day and see where we get to," he said. Losing the toss is "not a problem," said a firmly strong Younis, who was confident of chasing. Tillakaratne Dilshan! He's been in outstanding form, scoring over 300 runs. The fifth ball from Pakistan team got rid of Dilshan. Mohammad Aamer to Dilshan, OUT, goddim! He's out! Dilshan departs for a duck as he goes for that flicky pull-cum-scoop but mistimes it for once, and short fine-leg scurries to his left to take a fine catch. Abdul Razzaq removed Mubarak, Jayasuriya and Jayawardene, in second, fourth and sixth overs respectively and the trend was already set and it appeared SL would not be around 100. Yet, what a fightback that's been for Sri Lanka ! They've set Pakistan 139 to win, largely thanks to Kumar Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews whose unbeaten stand of 68 has really given Sri Lanka hope after Pakistan had reduced them to 32 for 4.

Not only the Indian media wanted Pakistan to lose but also inspired Sri Lanka to defeat Pakistan to make India happy and feel proud of its own defeats. Sri Lankans were up against a gritty Pakistan who did not want to let go winning the second Twenty20 final, having narrowly lost the first two years ago against India in South Africa . But Sri Lanka were reduced to 70 for six before skipper Sangakkara propped them with an unbeaten 64 from 52 deliveries, inclusive of seven boundaries. He was involved in an unbroken stand of 68 for the seventh wicket off 44 deliveries with Angelo Mathews, who stroked a vital 35 off 24 deliveries, inclusive of three fours and a six. Abdul Razzaq was brilliant upfront with the new ball as he claimed three for 20 in three overs to trigger the collapse, while Shahid Afridi took one for 20 in four overs.

In March, when Sri Lanka ’s players were airlifted from the Gaddafi stadium, Lahore , few would have predicted that they would be facing Pakistan three months later at Lord's in the final of the ICC World Twenty20. Sri Lanka , who have been the model of consistency, were caught off guard by aggressive tactics. In a stirring atmosphere, Pakistan were on top of their game from the start as 17-year-old Mohammad Aamer belied his inexperience with a tone-setting opening over. Indians predicted a win for Sri Lanka not because they love SL, especially after what happened there recently, because team has the ability and the confidence to defend 138, Sri Lanka does. But Pakistan overwhelmed the Tigers in a better mould. India lost cricket yet again.

II – They played to Defend Nation

The winner of 20/20 trophy was to be decided on 21 June. But as far this writer is concerned it was well decided on 18 June itself when the world‘s best cricketers SA were overwhelmed by Pakistan team, which finished the runners-up last time, but had very little international exposure thanks to Indian terror strategies to discredit and insult Pakistan and create a big fuss about Pakistan terrorism. Victory stand was impatiently waiting for Islamabad to occupy the top slop.

Pakistanis played extraordinarily to claim their first World Cup trophy in 17 years, their last being the 50-over crown in 1992. The jubilant scenes at the home of cricket, Lord's, clearly exemplified the spirit of the Pakistanis who have not played any worthwhile cricket for over a year with a majority of nations refusing to visit them. The noise is unbelievable, they love it when Pakistan wins, and they love it more when Afridi's the one winning it for them. Afridi raises his arms in triumph, what a player; he's delivered when it mattered most. Shoaib Malik played a crucial innings too, staying calm at one end, scoring at just over a run a ball. However, Pakistan may not be able to host international teams in the near future. That is irony of Pakistani destiny and Indo-US democracy in Pakistan .

Yes, the ICC World Twenty20, 2009 belongs to Islamabad . Pakistan won by 8 wkts. SL: 138/6 in 20 overs; PAK: 139/2 in 18.4 overs Pakistan deservingly won the WC after the heartbreak two years back against India . It was left to the boom boom man Afridi who once again came out trumps with a magnificent all-round display. You can imagine the joy it would have brought back home in the strife torn country. Everyone would be going mad with joy and delirium forgetting their troubles for a couple of hours at least. It was a fitting end to a fabulous tournament on a sun drenched day at Lord's, Pakistan are the Lord's of T20 Cricket at the Mecca of Cricket

It was the perfect script anyone could write after all that went on three months back, Pak v SL in the WC final and fittingly it was Pakistan who thrilled everyone with their brave display. One should feel for SL though, they won 6 matches on the trot in this WC and could not deliver the knock-out blow. Still it was a gutsy effort from the Islanders when defending a below par target.

T20 is all about enjoyment and entertainment. For the last 2-3 years I'm really bowling well. Shahid Afridi is the Man of the Match for his all-round performance. Tillakaratne Dilshan is the Man of the Series. He is also the leading run-getter of the tournament with 317 runs. Sangakkara: We failed to assess the conditions; it is really tough for a bowling unit to keep on defending totals right through the tournament when we could have scored 20 more. But you take what you get and we will learn from this, grow stronger and come back next year. Ours is the best bowling unit in the World at the moment and we look forward to more battles with Pakistan in the future. Toughen ourselves both physically and mentally. A small island like SL produces such unorthodox cricketers, SL has developed something unique and luckily that is their own. We have got a lot of talent hunting coaches who have gone around and brought them in allowing their uniqueness to flourish. Younis Khan: It was fantastic, we are underdogs and there was less pressure. All credit goes to the team and the nation. On asked about a lot of planning from Pak today, that's why I don’t have a lot of hair. Sometimes you do silly things and sometimes brave things, if we restrict them to 140 or 150 it was chaseable. Afridi knows he is a match winner and the last two innings he was fantastic. I was always talking to him. Wherever I go in Pakistan or if I'm traveling everyone says please took the captaincy, I don’t think I'm a good captain, but sometimes I'm very brave and I think the captain should be brave.

III – Rout of Anti-Pakistanism

For the last few days, the core Indians have been mourning for the untimely demise of Indian cricket in the shortest form. That the former world champions of 20/20 could be stopped at the semifinals entry point is not a matter of rejoice in New Delhi which has converted cricket as lucrative business with all sorts of “fixings” available to the largest blackmoney holders among he billionaires. Even as India is reeling under the disgrace at London for being kicked out of tournament without showing any sympathy for the palm-greasing “great” Indians, Pakistan not only entered the Semifinals and, subsequently, Finals but also won the Finals too to be crown with the trophy to replace India as the 20/20 world champions. It is unnecessary to add India could not have been humiliated in any better fashion in the world where Indian leaders always use all international forums to sub and use threatening language to “do enough”. Can Indians digest this sort of international insult from a “small” Muslim neighbor? Many in New Delhi would swear against that.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka , the two best cricket teams, reached the 20/20 finals while India among others lost every thing and with not a single win in the Super8 stage. In semifinals, Sri Lanka almost buried the West Indians on 19 June before reaching the finals. WI opted to field but could not restrict the WI, and also they lost 3 wickets in the first six balls with just a single run on board and it then appeared SL would require just a couple of overs more to wind up the match and kick the WI out back home where Indians were eagerly waiting. Some how, WI reached 101 with 9 batsmen failing to reach even the double digit.

India was kicked by many teams, including South Africa that played extremely well through out but fell at the pre-finals. On 16 June, on a spin-friendly Trent Bridge surface, South Africa ’s slow bowlers rubbed salt and some spices into India ’s gaping World Twenty20 wounds, defending a modest total of 130 with consummate ease. The real difference between the sides though was AB de VilliersAB de Villiers, who batted quite magnificently for a 51-ball 63 on a pitch where no other batsman excelled. After toiling on the fields for over a month in South Africa over the strangled IPL, India madly lost the 20/20. South Africa thrashed India in the Super 8 level by clipping 9 wickets. While Pakistan lost only 3 wickets and also won the match against the SA super cricket king. After all India is responsible for the turmoil in Pakistan and state terrorism there.

India has misjudged Pakistan ’s future. India is consistently building its case against Pakistan with reference to terrorism. These allegations are focused with intentions to stack up record in seeking international attention and support for its goals. The allegations without proof, is a propaganda aim to scare and confuse international community. The IPL India 2009 hurriedly played in South Africa by Indian players with foreign assistance powered by Indian black money has not done the expected magic for India and India is on the death bed now. The IPL outcome was disastrously against India interests. Now 20/20 also proved to be anti-India. India is indeed in a pathetic situation.

Indians consider sport teams as an extension of terror military forces expecting them to win every where demolishing every body around. Indians crumpled when Indian cricket was looking to flex its muscles, but the die hard fans showcase instincts of fascism in expressing their over ambition and jealousy. . Indian supporters are the "most immature" in the cricketing world and they should grow up and accept defeat as an essential part of the game, says former England captain Mike Atherton.

Indians always talk and write ill of Pakistan as a policy and usual habit. Rise of Pakistan at least in cricket is no good muse for the ears of Hindus and their Muslim assistants in India . All strategic maneuverings they have indulged in so far have brought disgrace to them. It is no hush-hush that the contention between India and Pakistan is bottomless and sour but once again the Indians have proven themselves as being a nation who seems to be against the very idea of Pakistan .

What India media and strategists try to hide is the fact that the cricket mafia did not support India and Indians are annoyed that the mafia cheated an innocent India after promising to do 'enough" on usual payment basis. What ahs shocked India the most is the crude fact that Pakistan has taken away the trophy almost reserved for India without paying any amount extra.., as Pakistan only takes money form USA for killing Muslims in the country with Indo-US “democratic" assistance.

It is now all certain the black-moneyed Indians would shut down bulk of their media portals to boost the image of a terror Indians the best “democracy” around. Indians consider sport teams as an extension of terror military forces expecting them to win every where demolishing every body around. Indians crumpled when Indian cricket was looking to flex its muscles, but the die hard fans showcase instincts of fascism in expressing their over ambition and jealousy. Indian supporters are the "most immature" in the cricketing world and they should grow up and accept defeat as an essential part of the game, says former England captain Mike Atherton.

The Indian fans tend to go overboard with their reaction to both success and failure. Veneration of India great has now turned to vituperation. There is not even a mentioning of 20/20 Women’s cricket which India lost miserably to New Zealanders. But when an India manages a win at any cost the media are come back alive with color photos- and that is India ! On has to find the right word to describe such small minded attitude of Indians and their media

India did enough, rather maximum, of media popups and maneuverings exchanging black money bogs, but both the cricket mafia and Indian team could not deliver and had to vacate the UK stadium, but they feel humiliated because of their superiority complex. Unless they shed a part of it, India will have going tougher in future. Indian post-paid commentators should be some professionalism but it seems the only thing they know is to be biased in their estimation and sometimes their “wishes” purely transform into words and “slip out” of their mouths. Absolutely nonsense!

The question was not about winning the finals alone, but doing enough justice to what ones tries to do. Pakistan should play to the fullest capability of each cricketer so that even a loss would not be a real problem, rather it will a stimulating challenge for future. India did enough, rather maximum, but could not deliver and had to vacate the UK stadium, but they feel humiliated only because of their superiority complex. Indian nasty media fuel the issue in black color. Unless they shed a part of it, India will have going tougher in future.

IV - Afridi Afridi…

Obviously, Shahid Afridi was the man of the moment for Pakistan . The maverick all-rounder first produced four tight overs, taking his only wicket off his last delivery, and then paced his knock of 40-ball 54 (two sixes and two fours) to see the side through. Just before the finals, someone asked Afridi, can you win the tournament? And he quickly replied “Insha Allah". And Pakistan won the world 20/20 trophy in real style. It seems Pakistan after thrashing the equally good SL team which chose to bat first (SA reached 138 for 6 only), Pakistan decided to keep maximum wickets in tact and they meticulously planned and executed the cricket course for the finals trophy. They knew 139 is not a big target. Unlike the commentators and specialists, only Younis Kahn’s boys know th3logic behind their slow moving strategy to kick only at the end.

Just when Shahid Afridi's international career was touted as over, he rolled back his years in magnificent style, fashioning Pakistan ’s seven-run victory over South Africa to power his side into the finals of the Twenty20 World Cup at Trent Bridge . Boom Boom Afridi!!! Flash Flash Pakistan !!! That is the best way to summarize this fantastic game of cricket. Yes, Pakistan won 20/20 Semifinals by 7 runs and go through to their second consecutive ICC World Twenty20 Final on 18 June. Shahid Afridi conjured a spectacular all-round performance to propel Pakistan to a seven-run victory over South Africa in their Twenty20 World Cup semi-final at Trent Bridge on Thursday

The man always appeared to be hurry to hit 4s and 6s is a different mould now has some patience to stay on for some more time and score more quick runs. Afridi swung his bat in an arc but the bat lift had clearly been cut down. Instead of aiming ambitious sixes over extra cover, Afridi was only chipping it over the fielder.

A clear sign of Islamabad victory was visible at 17.5 overs when Udana threw a ball to Afridi for a huge SIX!!, Afridi goes Boom Boom and so does Bumble in the comm box, What a man this boom boom Afridi is, an innings of the highest quality under extreme pressure, Afridi has often been branded a slogger who just closes his eyes and swings. But today he has come to the party big time, wonder what will be the scenes back home in his troubled Pashtun province... 18.2 Malinga to Malik, FOUR!!, slower delivery on the middle and leg, Malik closes the face of the bat and glances it to fine leg, more of an inside edge and that is just about all over for Sri Lanka! 18.4 Malinga to Afridi, leg byes, 1 run and the end of 20/20 with the trophy jumping into the pocket of Pakistan.

Afridi still is the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2007 edition of ICC World Twenty20, that he still has the fastest hundred off mere 37 balls in one-day cricket; that the 18 balls he took for his half century once is only one ball off the fastest ever; that he has 249 sixes from 276 matches; that he has been one of the leading bowlers in ODIs for the last two successive years.

Afridi, batting at number three, finally recaptured the explosive form which makes him such a threat in ODIs. Afridi was a runaway man-of-the-match but it's just not his qucikfire 51 runs and two for 16 spell alone, he mattered when Pakistan were tottering at 28 for two in the third over while batting and hopelessly watching South Africa coast to 40 for no loss in the sixth over in the second half. Faith once again was put on his strong Afridi shoulders and Pakistan chose him as its' best man when a crisis was brewing. Another wicket at that stage and Pakistan were as good as gone. South Africa , like a shark, had tasted blood and was circling in the pool menacingly. He repaid the faith of selectors and cricket fans.

It was always going to be a toss-up between Shahid Afridi and Tillakaratne Dilshan. Dilshan's duck, and another brilliant all-round performance by Afridi, tilted the scales in favor of the phenomenally talented player from Pakistan with 440 points based on the MVP index. The Pakistan Cricket Board Director General Javed Miandad, who has also remained coach of the Pakistan team thrice, wants Younis Khan to reconsider his decision of retiring from Twenty20 cricket so as to maintain consistency and uniformity in the team for future tournaments, saying the latter's presence was important if Pakistan were to defend the World T20 title next year and win the 2011 ODI World Cup. Interestingly, former chief selector Abdul QadirAbdul Qadir, who resigned as chief selector earlier this month during the World Cup when the team was being defeated , has now repeated his demand that the board should appoint separate captains for the Test and ODI teams.

V- An Observation

Pakistan speedster Umar GulUmar Gul has said that reverse swing is an 'art' and criticized the foreign teams Gul said western teams lacked skill and ability to reverse swing the cricket ball, and that is why they always accused Asian fast bowlers of foulplay. After Pakistan clinched the 2009 trophy in England , Pakistani thoughts have already turned to the 2010 event in the West Indies , beginning...