It would have been heartbreak for the Pakistani supporters, present at Lord’s this Sunday, had Pakistan lost another T20 final. It would have been a big shock for all Pakistani Cricket fans worldwide. However, history did not repeat itself as Pakistan shrugged of last T20 World Cup defeat to notch up a convincing win against Sri Lanka, who had through the whole tournament not lost a single match. In fact, Sri Lanka had the better of Pakistan in a Super 8 Game in this tournament. Pakistan played the role of giant killer, as they beat South Africa in the Semifinals and then steam rolled over Sri Lanka in the Men’s T20 World Cup Final.

It has been a sort of remarkable turnaround for Pakistani cricket, after so many incidents happening in their country and cricket being banned in their soil. Pakistan thus became the only team to have beaten both Sri Lanka and South Africa in this World Cup. A remarkable achievement indeed, considering the fact that both these teams have been in prime form and played magnificent cricket, except during the crunch time when they faced Pakistan in a do or die encounter. Perhaps the moral of the story for this edition of T20 World Cup will be that, to win some you need to loose some and play well when it matters.

Winning the toss Sri Lanka opted to bat first, as they wanted to set a decent total for the Pakistani team and put them under pressure. Their tactic soon backfired as the Pakistani youngster Mohammad Aamer got the better of Dilshan in the very first over of the match. With their best batsman in the tournament gone for a duck, Sri Lanka lacked ideas to come back into the match. The change in the batting line up also backfired as Jehan Mubarak was snapped up by Abdur Razaq, ex-ICL player for the second duck of the innings.

Pakistan now had a firm control on the match. Sanath Jayasuriya, the Sri Lankan veteran with a whole lot of experience, tried to steer away Sri Lanka from this position but failed to do so after scoring just 17 runs to become Razaq’s second victim. Things got worse as Jayawardene got out in quick succession to Razaq. The only person left defending the Sri Lankan fort was their captain Kumara Sangakara. The Pakistani bowlers were unrelenting and did not loose focus in the match as Sri Lanka were left tottering at 70-6 after 13 overs.

The rescue act for Sri Lanka started with the partnership between Sangakara and Angelo Matthews, as they took the fight back to Pakistan. Sangakara remained unbeaten on 64 and Matthews scored valuable 35 run with both standing their ground until the end of this innings, as Sri Lanka managed to score 138 runs with an unbroken 68 runs partnership between these two Lankan lions. The score seemed a little less for the high profile Pakistani batting line up, but it still gave hope to Sri Lanka for putting up a fight in the second half of the match.

Coming into bat with a target of 139, the Pakistani openers started cautiously. With the total well entrenched in their minds, the Pakistani openers played normal cricketing shots as Sri Lanka were left searching for answers to get a break through. Sangakara tried six different bowlers in the first six overs of the innings to find a break through that never happened. Pakistani openers on the other hand did not spare an inch for the Lankans to come back into the match. It was then left to the experience of Jayasuriya to get the first wicket for Sri Lanka and affect a batting collapse for Pakistan.

However, the duo of Mallik and Afridi played a brand of cautious cricket unlike to their reputation, to take Pakistan closer to the target as Pakistan reached the 100 mark within the 15th over. With things, getting out of control Sangakara tried to use the experience of Malinga, Muralitharan, and Menids to restrict the flow of runs. However, nothing seemed to work this time as some magnificent hitting from Afridi and an unbroken partnership between both of them saw Pakistan to their second major title, the first one coming in 1992 when they won the 50 over version in Australia.

The win was dedicated to Bob Woolmer, the former Pakistan and South Africa coach, as Pakistan did not get twice unlucky. The Lankans had themselves to blame, as they never looked in control of the match. Pakistan with this victory has proved once again that they cannot be taken for granted in International Cricket. When Pakistan plays good cricket the world has to stand up and salute them.

21st June, the historic day in Cricket history, especially for Pakistan it’s the unforgettable day. Pakistani Fan’s prayers accepted, and Pakistan won over by high spirits and delight. Afridi swung willow wand and leaded the Pakistan to become ICC World T20 Champions. Pakistan determination, spirit and brilliancy in the game were apparent and each player gave his every bit of effort for the fancied victory. Expectations were high from Pakistan; to be pressurized instead it uplifted the spirits and motivated Pakistan to believe in itself. Consequently, we have Pakistan as ICC World T20 Champions beating considerably Sri Lanka off 8 wickets.

London Lord’s stadium, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first, though decision was sensible but it wasn’t fateful for the Sri Lanka. Lankans came to bat but blunder started from very first over; Aamer taking essential wicket of Tilakaratne Dilshan (0), then in second over Jehan Mubarak (0) was ducked by Razzaq. Then Sanath Jayasuriya(17), Mahela Jayawardena (1), Chamara Silva (14)and Isuru Udana (1); batting line up collapsed in a nick of time. But Kumar Sangakkar (64) on the other end was still holding the pitch and hopes, with vital support of Angelo Mathews (35); Sri Lankan total reached 138 runs off 6 wickets.

Pakistan bowling was spectacular, we could see the Pakistan bowling magic thrilling to fans and threatening to Sri Lanka. Pakistani bowlers Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Aamer, Umar Gul and Shahid Afridi were outstanding and line and length was just near to perfect. Every Pakistani bowler bowl seemed tough to play, and every fielder clenching for the one’s and two’s equally bitter the batsman and made every effort of batsman worthless. Senior player Abdul Razzaq had been lucky for the Pakistan, with his return Pakistan spirits uplifted and in the final we saw he him out performing Sri Lanka by taking 3 wickets.

Lankans put forth 139 runs target, Pakistan was confident to achieve it and win the championship. This kind of optimism was radiant on every Pakistani player, and something like hunger we felt in them to win this world cup. As expected each player entertained spectators, Kamran Akmal (37) and Shahzaib Hasan (19) from the first over made Lankans restless and power play also proved to be fruitless. After Akmal, Afridi came to bat, and fans roared as he walked out of pavilion. Expectations, and prayers were being chanted and every bit of it got fulfilled. Shahid Afridi knocked unbeaten 54 runs of 40 balls and Shoaib Malik (24) also contributed well enough. Pakistan won the match by 8 wickets sparing 8 balls.

Afridi and Razzaq terrific performance just made the day only for Pakistan. After Sri Lanka qualifying for the finals Afridi growled to them to beware. In the same manner Afridi executed and terrified Lankans with his terrific performance eventually leading the Pakistan to the T20 World Cup win. Whole stadium was loaded with Pakistani supporters they cheered outrageously for the Pakistan in the End.

Above question is worth millions dollars, and hovering in every cricket fan’s mind. Pakistan making to the finals beating the South Africa and in the last semifinal Sri Lanka made to the finals trampling West Indies. Pakistan hidden match wining talent and Sri Lanka in true sense being excellent with bat and bowl, we can expect great entertainment and excitement in ICC World T20 final.

Initially in ICC World T20 defending champions India and South Africa were being expected to be most entertaining. But Indians turned out to be the IPL’s millionaire’s underdogs, and on the other side it was expected of South Africa making to the final, but again they succumbed to pressure proving themselves to be perennial chokers. West Indies challenging and Gayle’s powerful batting was threatening to the any opposition but on Friday 19th of June they lost too badly to the Lankans despite Gayle’s attempt, whole team under performed and lost by huge margin of 57 runs to Sri Lanka.

Now we have too unexpected teams in the ICC World T20 finals, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Pakistan which was crumbling initially; team which was perturbed by the situations back home due to Taliban and recent attack on Sri Lankans in Pakistan. Pakistan cricket was on the low, and spirit of sanguinity was invisible in Pakistan initially. Many cricket experts and gurus never expected anything good of Pakistan by losing to India and England in ICC World T20, but Pakistan spirits took a new life and optimism raised with the better performance by Gul and Afridi and coming back of Abdul Rassaq in the team. Optimism led them to the finals of ICC World and beating the invincible South Africa. Unpredictable Pakistan turned the tables and eventually snatching it from South Africa in semifinals. Pakistan’s image has been blotted by bowl tampering accusations on Gul, but still avoiding everything Pakistan stands confident and prevailing contender.

Sri Lanka with its world class experienced bowlers and batsmen, stands natural champions, as they played each game like a champions. Sri Lanka took every match with every blink of eyes and has been constant threat to every team. Sri Lanka recently escaped terrorist attack in Pakistan, some players got injured; but miraculously we saw Lankans recovering and qualifying for the finals. Team sprits are touching sky and anyone can see them bounded in single thread and each player being supportive to other. Sri Lanka has undying optimism and team spirit, these virtues makes them champions in itself. Sri Lankan bowling attack is best but the batting need to be reckoned with. Sri Lanka’s bowlers have consistently throughout the ICC World T20 and have been delivering excellently, but often batting line up have not been able to supportive except Dilshan doing great job on the spur of moments.

Market of speculations is hot, people are betting on both sides, Lankans have been on stronger side. But still unpredictable Pakistan can do the magic.

On, 19 June 2009 in second semifinal of ICC World T20 at Kennington Oval, we saw tremendous expertise from Lankans side and insensibility and spiritlessness from Indies. Opening batsman Dilshan played like a maestro and mesmerized whole audience with his unbeaten innings of 96 runs coming off just 57 balls. Dilshan is high scorer from Lankans side in ICC World T20, led Lankans to the truly deserved victory over uninspiring Indies.

Sri Lankan innings was fluctuating, in 15th over Lankans were at 98 runs off 3 wickets, reaching above 150 runs total was somewhat difficult on slower and bowler friendly pitch of Oval. But in the last five overs with the DIlshan on the field Lankans knocked whopping 60 runs, taking total to 158 runs off 5 wickets. Dilshan innings was the major contribution to the total, rest the Lankans batsmen were not able to put up better support. Sanath Jayasuriya (24), Kumar Sangakkara (0), Mahela Jayawardena (2), Chamara Silva (11) and Jehan Mubarak (7) were not able to sustain on field and support to Dilshan. Even though Dilshan remain consistent without any support from other teammates throughout the innings and aggregated challenging score of 158 runs on slower pitch like Oval.

As the Gayle’s bowler were being attributed mystique and powerful mix of spinners and pacers, all proved futile in front of Dilshan. Gayle’s bowlers were not able to confine Dilshan and still the bowling was commendable, every boundary was tough though but Dilshan knocks showed it lot easier. Tight field by Gayle’s company was commendable and fielders were diving for every single shoot to prevent boundaries even two’s. Jerome Taylor, Sulleman Benn , and Kieron Pollard took 1-1 wicket and Dwayne Bravo expensive though took 2 wickets.

West Indians came to bat to face 159 runs target; 159 runs target was pretty much tough on the slower pitch of Oval still it was expected from Indies, they would be tough competition. But the disaster happened Angelo Mathews took 3 wickets in very first over, Indies were dumbfounded. Roaring audience in support of Lankans with uninterrupted commentary started coming from commentary box of Lankans making it to the finals. Gayle (63) was the only batsman to sustain on the pitch rest batting line up of Indies felled like the stock rates on the Wall Street.

Sri Lankans bowlers and Dilshan were remarkable and outstanding in the last semifinal, purely out doing Indies in every aspect of the game. Angelo Mathews and Star Player Muttiah Muralidaran took 3-3 wickets, Ajantha Mendis took 2 wickets and Isuru Udana and Lasith Malinga took 1-1 wicket. Lankans jamboree of bowlers were superb and astounding; Lankans bowlers bowled every type of bowling with Yorkers to off spin, leg spin and short balls with the better line and length gave no room to Indies to go for the shoots.

Malinga taking the last wicket in the 17th over Indies were all out on 101 runs and Lankans winning the match by big margin of 57 runs.

The Sri Lankan team has exhibited great form throughout the Men’s T20 World Cup tournament and has remained unbeaten thus far. However, after what happened to South Africa yesterday nothing can be ruled out from this spicy encounter, which pits the Lankan lions against the Windies warriors. In the group stages both the teams have already faced each other and can clearly imagine what is in store for them when they meet again in this crucial semifinal encounter. Sri Lanka got the better of the West Indies team in the group stages, which will give them that crucial edge in this match. However, the Windies have never looked back from that defeat as they got the better of India and England to reach the semifinals.

The West Indies started the tournament by notching a great win over the Aussies to put a nail in their coffin before they were stopped by the Lankan lions, who notched up a convincing victory against them. The South African team added insult to injury as they comfortably beat West Indies in a Super 8 game to leave them in a spot of bother. Since then this Windies team has shown strength and character with the help of their players like Bravo, Gayle, Simmons, Taylor, Sarwan, and Chanderpaul to get the better of India and England while making it to the semifinals. West Indies are no longer a one-man show of Chris Gayle, they are now a solid unit of players who can put in performance and win against any opposition they face. Things have changed a lot since they met the Lankan lions in the group stages.

However, Sri Lanka is not bothered by the sudden return of form of the West Indian players. The Lankan players are in the best form of their life and hungry for success. Since their 1996 World Cup win the Sri Lankans have not achieved much success in International cricket. Perhaps the time is once again in their favor to achieve glory for the second time. Sri Lankan players like Dilshan, Jayawardena, Sangakara, and Jayasuriya are in prime batting form whereas the 4 M combination of Mendis, Murali, Matthews, and Malinga form a very potent bowling attack that can rip open any batting line up and tear it to shreds. The Sri Lankans have the necessary armory in place to blow up any opposition they face.

The result will only be known after the match ends but it will surely be an encounter that will keep worldwide cricket audiences glued to their TV sets. Certain factors like Gayle factor, Bravo factor, the unknown Sarwan and Chanderpaul factor, and short ball factor will keep the Sri Lankan’s on their toes. If any of these factors click then West Indies will run away with the match. However, if these factors fail miserably then do not expect any mercy from the Lankan lions because they know what is best for them and they know how to win.