Pakistan celebrates Twenty20 triumph

Pakistan celebrates Twenty20 triumph: "Pakistan erupted in celebration Sunday after its national team beat Sri Lanka at Lord's to win the Twenty20 Cricket World Cup, a rare moment of joy amid the gloom of the country's bloody unrest.

Pakistan reached a modest, 139-run target for the loss of two wickets with eight balls to spare to win their first major trophy since 1992, when Imran Khan led them to victory in the 50-over World Cup in Australia..."

Ex cricketers laud T20 victory: "Former cricketers termed Pakistan’s victory in Twenty20 world cup as positive sign for Pakistan cricket and hoped that International Cricket Council (ICC) will review its decision of depriving Pakistan from World Cup matches..."

The News (Pakistani News Paper)

Quotes from T20 Presentation ceremony

Afirdi Quotes:
"T20 is about enjoying and having fun ... if you enjoy ... you do well".

Asked by Nasir Hussain, How is your hurt Toe? Afridi Replies, "After this victory, I don't feel anything"

Younis Khan Quotes:
"We were underdogs so we had less pressure"

"After Razzaq came and Shahzeb opened, suddenly we got it going"

Asked by Nasir Hussain about planning to get Dilshan out, Younis Replies "That's why I've lost so many hair"

... And Pakistan does it again... T20 Cricket Champions

ENGLAND: Pakistan did once again what they do best... They kept everyone in doubt from the start to lower everyone's expectations, lost a few matches they should have easily won, then notched it up many gears when it mattered the most. They grew from strength to strength but saved their best performance for last... It all summed up what smith said after their semi final defeat, "Pakistan can beat any team on their day". On that note we can easily say that every day of the last week was Pakistan's day.

Pakistan was at their utmost best in all departments of the game, be it batting bwoling or fielding. First it was the bowlers who ran havoc through Sri Lankan top order. Then all 4 batsmen who played showed their skills with the bat, without the haste and uncertainty that has normally been the feature of pakistan cricket, but utmost confidence, responsibility and positivity.

Almost all cricketing pundits had written pakistan off on the pretext of lack of International cricketing practice, bad selection, lack of team unity, you name it. Whatever wrong could be found with the team was brought into the limelight and swelled it manyfolds. But all that was proven wrong.

In the end Pakistan once again spoiled the party for all the big names, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka in the end.

Pakistan increases pace as the openers depart (65/2 10 overs)

ENGLAND : Both openers eventually departed at 63 when 74 were required at the Required rate of 7.40 per over.
Afridi and Shoaib Malik were playing with caution til last news.

Pakistan starts cautiously but avoids losing wickets (48/0 7 overs)

ENGLAND: Pakistan started slow, well below their asking rate, but the openers make sure not to lose any early wickets.
Kamran Akmal and Shahzeb Hassan build a strong opening partnership.

Shahid Afridi Biography

Shahid Afridi Biography : "Sahibzaha Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi (born March 1, 1980) popularly known as Shahid Afridi is a Pakistani cricketer who has represented Pakistan since 1996 in international cricket. He made his ODI debut on October 2, 1996 against Kenya at Nairobi and his Test debut on October 22, 1998 against Australia at Karachi. He has scored over 4,500 ODI runs at a strike rate of more than 107 runs per 100 balls, and has taken over 160 ODI wickets. He was brought on the team as a legspinner at the age of sixteen. He then gained fame as a slugger and began opening with Saeed Anwar. He holds the record for scoring the fastest century (which he scored in 37 balls) in One Day Internationals. He also shares the record for the second fastest century (on 45 balls) in One Day Internationals with Brian Lara. He is known as one of Pakistan’s greatest all rounders. He is one of the biggest hitters of the ball, and has a higher strike rate than any batsman in the world.
A propensity for the unexpected, and a reputation for lacking patience while batting has meant that he has never been able to command a regular place in the Pakistan side. However, in the two games between Pakistan and India, contested in 2005, that he participated in, Afridi made a massive impact, recording the fastest test half-century, and dismissing Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar three times, in helping Pakistan register an unlikely draw with an under-manned side."
Incredible-people.com

Personal Information on Shahid Afridi: Afridi is a very flamboyant personality in the Pakistan cricket team. Along with Shoaib Akhtar, he enjoys a very notorious reputation. He has been linked with various Indian actresses and was also named in a recent 'sex scandal'.Favorites of ShahidNick Name : Shah First love : My parentsMusic : Light music and folk songsSingers : Backstreet boys, Spice Girls, Ricky MartinSong: Quit playing games with my heartHindi Song : 'Hum Tumhe Chahate Hai Aise' (Qurbani) and 'So Gaya Yeh Jahan' (Tezaab)Movie : Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge Actor : Sharukh KhanActresses : Sonali Bendre & Twinkle KhannaCricket Heroes : Imran Khan, Javed Miadad, Wasim AkramColors : Blue, White and RedDrink : Orange JuiceFood : Chicken Biryani & Kheer & Ice-creamFruit : MangoDress : Jeans & T-shirtCool facts on AfridiAfridi owns a car showroom in Karachi and drives a Toyota Corola 98' model. He stands 5ft 11inches tall. He has a huge family with 9 brothers and sisters. Afridi is one of a kind. There is no point telling him to watch the length of the ball. The line of attack never bothers him because he hits the ball so hard. Even the best of fielders with strong palms would think twice before laying their hands on the ball. Unconventional characters like Afridi bring immense joy to the game which has always laid emphasis on tradition and technique. There are many who do not give much credence to the freedom that Afridi brings to the art of batting but there many more waiting to watch Afridi take on the bowlers.Best ComplimentCricket is not cricket without Shahid Afridi’, compliment given by - Michael Holding.Funniest MomentIn his words,"During one of Pakistan’s tours abroad, I was told by the manager to catch the next flight home because they were replacing me with Mushtaq Ahmed.I was stunned, but got up the next day, checked out of the hotel and went to the airport with the manager. He was kind enough to tell me then, that it was All Fools Day".Worst HabitHe has a very bad habit of forgetting things.AchievementsHe holds the record for the fastest 100 in One Day Internationals.He has won 4 Man of the Match awards.
Yeh Hai Cricket

Sangakkara and Mathews restore sanity after early scare (138/6)

ENGLAND: Besides the early scare, Sangakkara and Angelo Matthews restored sanity after the top batting order failed miserably.
Sangakkara played anchor and did most of the running initially and then in teh final overs Angelo Mathews wrecked havoc amongst Pakistani bowling attack to give sri lanka more than a fighting total. Muhammad Aamir went for a few boundaries in his final over ...
The final score tally was 138/6.
Well done Sangakkara (64 off 42 balls) and Angelo Matthews (35 off 24 balls)
News Ki Duniya (This Blog :) )

Pakistan starts T20 Final on a high note.(Sri Lanka 4/32, 6 Overs )

ENGLAND: Pakistani bowlers dessimate Sri Lankan to batting order with Dilshan the tournament's Top scorer and another one of Sri Lanka's top Player, Jehan Mubarak - both out for a duck inside the first 6 Overs.

Pakistan, Sri Lanka set for emotional clash in T20 final: "Pakistan and Sri Lanka, two teams linked by tragedy, have begun what promises to be an epic ICC World Twenty20 final at Lord’s on Sunday."
DAWN.COM

T20 World Cup Final Underway

England: The T20 World Cup Final is Under way between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This would be a rematch of the very first match from their pool. Sri Lanka beat Pakistan soundly in all disciplines of the game then. Though the faces have not changed for Pakistan team, yet this is a totally different team in terms of positivity, temperament, confidence and their strong will to win.
Sri Lanka started the tournament as one of the favourites so it's only logical that they are in teh final.
Pakistan on the other hand started on a bad note losing to to Sri Lanka in their very first pool match. Many people had written then off even before the tournament started. Their rise to the Final is nothing less than a fairy tale. They've come from strength to strength throughout their matches and dissimated arguably the best team in the tournament - south Africa. Their confidence is sky high, and I would not be surprised if they snatch this T20 tournament.
Players to Watch: Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Razzaq, Aamir, Saeed Ajmal, Sangakkara, Dilshan, Jayasuriya, Muralitharan, Mubarak, Angelo Mathews, Malinga, Mendis.
News Ki Duniya (This Blog :) )