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World Champions Pakistan Zindabad!
By Tabrez Janjua for Stani Army in Pakistan Cricket
50 ViewsPakistan have won the ICC World Twenty20 2009 and can now rightly claim to be the best national Twenty20 side in the world after reaching the final last time around and narrowly missing out. Yet, victory did not escape them this time with all this, in the words of their captain, being just a bit of “fun”. Can you imagine if they had taken it seriously?
Pakistan needed to pounce on the Sri Lankan openers early on and that’s exactly what Mohmmad Aamer and Abdul Razzaq did. Tillakaratne Dilshan was peppered with short balls from Amer and fell going for his trademark scoop shot. Had he heeded the warning of our fellow Stani Q at Well Pitched, then Dilshan would have known not to attempt that shot in the final. Before they knew it, Sri Lanka were 32 for 4, thanks mainly to Abdul Razzaq (3 for 20). There was also some very good captaincy from Younis Khan who crucially kept a slip in place, and slightly wide, for the wicket of Mahela Jayawardene, who had been in excellent touch. Though now in trouble, they were given a life line with captain Kumar Sangakkara making a steady 64, and constructing a crucial partnership with Angelo Mathews (35). The two had managed to drag their team off the floor and and set a very tricky 139 for Pakistan to get.
It was certain that Pakistan had to play the type of innings that they were not known for. Wickets had to be kept in hand whilst the run rate had to be steadily maintained. Kamran Akmal and Shahzaib Hasan duly obliged, knocking the ball around and getting boundaries at vital points. In the 8th over, Akmal fell and in came Shahid Afridi. He started off cautiously, having the youngster Shahzaib at the other end. Shahzaib hit two crucial fours off Mendis before he fell in the next over to bring Malik to the crease. The two men that did it for Pakistan in the semis were now at the crease as they went along steadily picking up singles. As Pakistan fell behind the rate, then came a crucial over in which Afridi decided to attack Murali, hitting him for a six, a four, and getting 14 off the over.
Nerves began to settle as Malik and Afridi went back to intelligently picking up the singles and not allowing the rate to rocket whilst keeping wickets in hand. As the rate began to increase once more, another big over was required and that man Afridi obliged once again. His victim this time, Udana. As with Murali, Afridi hit him for a six and then a four off consecutive balls in an over which went for 19. Seven runs were now needed off the next 12 balls and Pakistan did it with 8 balls to spare to cue pandemonium around Lords. It was great to see the players run onto the pitch and prostrate down to show humility and to thank Allah. At a time of such great achievement when they could not have been blamed for feeling that they were floating on air, they kept their feet on the ground.
It was a great achievement for a country which is being torn apart by international terrorism and the ineptitude of its own and other leaders. This will bring some cheer into the lives of the Pakistani people, something others should not be offended in witnessing but should appreciate through understanding what the Pakistani people have been through. This was a wonderful gift for a colourful and hospitable nation who fully deserve their success.
It will certainly be a late night here in London with ecstatic Pakistan fans already on the streets blowing horns and waving flags. Let’s just hope they keep on the right side of the law!
Thanks to all the neutrals for their support and mubarak to my fellow Stanis.
Stani Army! Pakistan Zindabad!
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June 21st, 2009 at 9:25 pm
A rollercoaster of emotions, a tournament of ups and downs and lots in between.
This was not just a win for Pakistan as a cricket team, but a win for Pakistan as a people. Two fingers to those who doubt and belittle our team and country. Yes I am talking about the ICC and more recently New Zealand (who have joined the usual suspects of Australia and England) as seeing Pakistan as easy pickings. A big up yours to you all.
Pakistan Zindabad, Stani Army Zindabad!
June 21st, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Congrats TJ! I have been long enough to remember both 92 and 99… nothing tastes as good as victory
June 21st, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Mubrook ya Baakistanii!
I loved the end when they were kissing the floor or doing sajdah and the commentator (wasim bhai?) was like “They Thank To The Allah”!
-also been a long time (never actually!) since ive seen any major sporting tournament celebration without the alcohol being spurted out at the end and subhannallah, it felt great!!
What a beautiful way to end a beautiful game =)
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:17 am
Jack,
I agree. It’s amazing how they (Aus, Eng, NZ, SA) all seem to forget their feuds and join ranks at any opportunity to be against us. I’m glad there were two asian teams in the final, just like two years ago.
Obaid,
You’re getting old! This was a long time coming, but I guess it couldn’t have come at a better time. The scenes in Pakistan are very similar to ’92. Indeed, nothing tastes as sweet as victory, but how much sweeter is it to taste it at a time like this, when we’ve been starved!
Sis,
Absolutely! Although they could have shaken and sent on some coke bottles….same effect right? hehehe. No, it was nice and clean, really. Just goes to show that you can celebrate and have a good time without first needing to make yourself drunk.
You didn’t mention Afridi in your comment like usual? Showing restraint are we? Good stuff hehehe
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:56 am
I still remember the scenes of 92 as clearly as I remember 5 hours ago
… this was awesome! My voice is gone, my hands hurt, my feet hurt, my back hurts, and I wasn’t even playing!
Unbelievable stuff from Pakistan!
Congrats everyone.
And the amount of smses I got referring to the letter to TD, when Dilshan got out to that shot was overwhelming!
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:25 am
Congrats TJ!
June 22nd, 2009 at 7:36 am
Q,
I guess you did more than just watch! Played every shot right? Can you remember our odds at the beginning of the tournament?
Wasim,
Congratulations. We have bragging rights now guys; use them! At college, school, nursery….wherever you go, use them….or just smile like me.
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:06 am
Well done to the boys Stani (I did cheer them on
). An absolute testament to these two teams after the terrorist attack to bounce back and make the finals. Afridi for captain? 
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Es!
Yes I know, you chose well. I wouldn’t have been too upset if Sri Lanka won. They stuck by us through some tough times. May be Pakistan needed this more though.
Afridi as captain? Wouldn’t that just be mental!
June 22nd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Congratulations to all Pakistanis for winning the World Cup T20. You guys deserved it. Well done.
June 22nd, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Thank you Rayden! I’m glad we beat the two unbeaten teams along the way otherwise the haters wouldn’t have shut up.
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Stani, no idea what the odds were but they were my favorites and u know that!
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Yeh of course! Lucky you put money on it then Q! How much did you win? hehehehe
June 22nd, 2009 at 7:02 pm
whatever I won Stani, I blew it all while celebrating last night
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:01 pm
congrats to your boys, they deserved it.
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Blew it already Q? Small bet then? You should have backed yourself honestly!
Thanks Bon. That’s nice to hear from a fan of the tournament favourites. I still can’t believe we beat you guys. It was those two wickets from Afridi; Gibbs and AB.
I was really fearing AB’s awesomeness (to quote Ames). The fact he was really disappointed and nodding his head when he was walking off after his dismissal, showed the guys determination. May be it was written for us. It’s just strange the way this tournament panned out.
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:55 am
Bookies are banned in Dubai Stani, so it had to be an unofficial friendly bet.. sadness!
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:00 am
I havent told you yet, but my dad is a huge Pak fan. He chose you guys over his own national side. He said he will cheer for SA again when Smith, Kallis & Gibbs will be given the boot. (The Kallis hate runs in the family.) AB has been a disappointment. I am proud of Parnie & Steyn they got the death bowling right. Fact is our batting suck and Younis knew that. It was written, you played better cricket in the end and deserve all the glory.
June 23rd, 2009 at 2:38 pm
First of all, congratulations to EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE who gives a toss about stani cricket…its been a long time coming but we are there….champions.
The lift the nation needed has been provided by these boys, lets hope the momentum continues…..
Now, onto my lil rant… not content that the Stanis have upset everyone by not only getting to the final and then winning the cup the ICC and its doping arm, whoever they are, asked Shahid Afridi to provide an ‘extra’ dope test!
I mean wtf?
June 23rd, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Q,
Have you just admitted to breaking the law? I can blackmail you now right? hehehe
Bon,
Wise man, your dad. You should listen to him more often. I think Parnell was a star. He put all the experienced lot to shame. Why the Kallis, Smith, Gibbs hatred? Gibbs I can understand. He’s had a few issues in the past.
I will sort out the site info stuff as soon as possible so worry not.
Abz,
Congrats to you. Was you at the final?
We have to be extra careful, especially when we get to the top because they will find any way in which to bring us down. I can’t remember if the PCB did tests before the World Cup, Q will probably know, but I think they should continue what they were doing in the past and test our lot before any major event. It’s better we find out before than they find out.
With Afridi’s test, the problem is that we cannot raise an issue because doping is such a major offence and they will just say “what, we’re not targeting him, it’s in the rules”, when in fact we all know that had we gone out of the tournament, they would not have bothered testing him.
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Nah TJ, was at home, my mum beside me, reading Darood o Salaam every over lol.
I know what you mean, they just looking for an excuse to put us down. Just like when the New Zealanders, the sore losers that they are, complained about the reverse swing Gul was getting – in the very next game did you notice how they kept doing close up shots of the ball in his hand!
While im here, did anyone else notice the sudden silence in the commentary box when Wasim Akram commenting on the possible victory said ” ….the boys will dedicate this victory to the brave Pakistan Army”
well done Wasim – Respect.
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Disclaimer: anything I write on an online platform cannot be held against me in a court of law.
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Abz,
Nice!! So you was responsible for our win!
Yes, I noticed the close ups and mentioned it in the match summary. It was disgraceful. It shows that it’s not only the opposition and the governing bodies against us, but also the broadcasters! Surely they are supposed to be neutral.
I missed that comment from Wasim. That’s great. It is simple really; If the West didn’t go around imposing “democracy” and invading nations then there would still be cricket in Pakistan. Before 9/11, suicide bombs were rare in Pakistan.
….are sure Wasim didn’t say “brave Stani Army”? Hehehehe
Q,
I will now go and delete that!
June 23rd, 2009 at 6:03 pm
and another thing……did Sangakara actually congratulate the Stanis on their victory…from his post match interview all i could make out he was praising his team, which is fair enough, but still no congrats for the Stanis?
June 23rd, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Abz,
That’s true! My dad actually start criticising him saying that Graeme Smith spoke much better after we defeated SA in the semis.
Sanga is usually alright but I don’t know what happened this time. If you get the chance to see the match again then watch Sanga at Akmal’s stumping as well. He points at Akmal with his glove and gives him a sending off. This was unusual and highly unlike the man.
Maybe he was more miffed at his own team for not supporting him. I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt as the rest of his side did let him down badly.
June 23rd, 2009 at 6:12 pm
i was going to mention the sanga/kamran bit but thought it was so blatant on the tv that everyone spotted it.
oh well, benefit of the doubt is given.
June 23rd, 2009 at 6:15 pm
I dont HATE Smith & Gibbs, the problem I have with them is that they are has-beens, if they can get back into form then great. But because they havent been consistent for some time now, I would get rid of them, replace them with some youngsters in & prepare them for the 2011 WC. Oh, I never liked Smith as captain, he has been such an embarrassment. I did like Botha as cap though.
Kallis is a different story. I never liked him and I doubt that I ever will. He is arrogant & cocky, he is an Aussie in disguise..
June 23rd, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Yeah! Problem solved. I did leave out www.
Thanks for the help.
June 23rd, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Abz,
We got a series with them next so I guess if there is something then all will be revealed.
Bon,
No worries mate. I know what you mean about Kallis! I hope Ames aint reading. Was Botha captain? I didn’t know that. Gibbs had a drinking issue didn’t he? I think that’s where he messed up. I still remember his innings in that ODI against Aus….yes, “that ODI”, unbelievable. He looks quite arrogant like Kallis too.
I think all Smith needs to do is lose weight…seriously. He’s just let himself go. I reckon it’s because he’s become too comfortable in the role as captain. No ones said anything to him so he’s just chilling. Maybe they should drop him and then we’ll see a reaction.
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Yes Botha, being vice-cap, rules whenever Smith is out. Remember when Smith broke his finger in Aus and received the Captain Courageous nickname. It happened after that. Botha led them to victory. He took the ODI trophy against Aus in Aus & later in SA as well.
I know when it all started, Smith started eating comfort food after the hottest girl in SA dumped him. When he gets dropped he might become morbidly obese. Lets wait and see.
Gibbs’ middle name is trouble. Apparently he is sober. Who knows. I think AB called for an intervention…
June 24th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Although Sangakara speaks eloquently but somehow I always feel he is not talking from the heart he sounds too shallow.
June 24th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Bon,
I’m surprised. He doesn’t look the captain type…maybe now I will begin to see him as such.
Wasim
I did hear that he’s a qualified lawyer. Hope his is not all lawyer speak and there’s some truth in his sentiments.