Pakistan are ICC World T20 2009 Champions

Pakistan’s 17 year drought without an international title has finally ended with their victory over Sri Lanka in the ICC World T20 2009 final at the Lord’s on Sunday. Pakistan cruised through to a comfortable win beating Sri Lanka by eight wickets and 8 balls to spare.

Pakistan had already created a stir in the tournament through match-winning performances of the likes of Umar Gul and Younis Khan, and were more or less among the favorites for the title. They overcame the minimal resistance of the Netherlands through a comfortable 82 run victory on their way to the Super Eights where they first faced Sri Lanka but were beaten by 19 runs. However, Umar Gul and Abdur Razzaq shined in the match against New Zealand and Pakistan cruised to an easy victory. The next match against Ireland was over before it even started as Ireland were no match to Pakistan’s recent form and Pakistan had booked a place in the last 4.

Up against South Africa in the semis, Pakistan struggled to get a target of 149 and waited to face the South African line-up that included match winners Greame Smith, Jacques Kallis and AB deViliers. However it was not to be for South Africa as Shahid Afridi rained fire on the batsmen taking 4 crucial wickets and eventually getting Pakistan a finals berth.

Sri Lanka seemed pretty confident with their start in the finals as Kumar Sangakara with his 64* and Mathews at 35* lifted Sri Lanka up to a score of 138. Though a modest target, Sri Lanka have always been very lethal with their bowling line up. However Muralitharan and Malinga failed to impress while Jaysurya created some worry with his wicket. But in the end it was all about Afridi who smashed his way to an unbeaten 54 and got Pakistan a deserved consolation after the heartbreak of last year.