Pakistan's 1st T20 WC Win

On this day, in 2009, Pakistan faced off Sri Lanka, at ICC T20 World Cup's Final Match. At the previous edition, Pakistani team had reached Finals, before missing out the title by 5 runs against India. But, this time, they were desperate to win the title. Sri Lankans on the other hand, looked very tough to beat, as they won 6 matches in this tournament consecutively, and they reached finals without any loss. Whereas Pakistani team had seen single loss each at group stage and super 8 stage. Interestingly, these two teams have met in Super 8 Stage, where Sri Lanka won against Pakistan by 19 runs. But, whatever it is, in the final match, both the teams tend to be strong and they team shouldn't take it in casual manner. 

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first, at Lords. Theywere struggling right from the start, with Pakistani bowlers, rightly doing their job without any flaw. They lost Dilshan and Mubarak, both being dismissed for 0 runs, and the score was at 2/2. Jayasuriya played some quick aggressive shots, and he scored 17 runs off 10 balls, before played the delivery on to the stumps, bowled by Abdul Razzaq. Jayawardene, too failed to score runs. The pressure created by Paksitani bowlers, affected Srilankan Batsmen, till the death overs. Abdul Razzaq was excellent on the field. with picking up early wickets with his slower deliveries. Kumar Sangakkara, at one end, played slowly an innings, where atleast he believed that his contribution would help in team's success. But, the real credits goes to youngster Angelo Mathews, who did a very well made finishing cameo. He scored a quickfire 35 runs off just 24 balls, with last over being smashed for 17 runs. From 72/6, at the end the score, Sri Lankan team, had posted was 138/6. Sangakkara top scored with his patient 64 runs off 52 balls. Pakistan had done well in the field. Now, its up to the batsmen to finish the task comfortably. But, don't take Sri Lankan bowling attack so carelessly. They are mainly known for rattling the opposition's batting order.

Pakistan openers came into bat. Kamran Akmal and Shahzaib Hasan were so busy in scoring quick runs, particularly Kamran Akmal was on a full fledged mission of not making opposition bowlers to get set and also to damage the newer ball. But added 48 runs for the first wicket. Sri Lankan Pacers didn't got much to do with the pitch. Jayasuriya dismissed Kamran Akmal and then Shahzaib Hasan was dismissed by Muttaiah Muralitharan. At that point, the score was 63/2. Everybody would have thought that the match would turn from here on, before Afridi played a smart innings. He smashed an intense fifty. Most specifically, that six hit against the delivery of Muttaiah Muralitharan, over the long off direction were something harder to pull it off. But, he did it with his pure aggressive intent. Hence, Pakistan team finished the match with 9 balls to spare and clinched their first title, in their 2nd consecutive Final. 

Man of the match was awarded to Shahid Afridi, while Man of the Series was given to Tillakaratne Dilshan for scoring most runs (317) in this tournament. Sri Lankan team were heartbroken with Closely losing its second ICC Tournament Final, previously the loss at 2007 Cricket World Cup.