LONDON, CMC – Pakistan and Sri Lanka, two teams still seeking to recover from a tragic attack almost four months ago, meet again in the Final of the Twenty20 World Cup today at Lord’s.
Both sides are still bearing the scars of the attack in March, when six policemen and two civilians were killed, and seven members of the Sri Lankan squad were injured, following a militant attack on the visitors’ team bus in Lahore as they travelled to a Test match.
The Sri Lankan players are still haunted by the scenes which could have so easily ended in the loss of life for members of their squad, and the Pakistanis find themselves as the virtual outcasts of international cricket as teams and officials have shunned their nation, and they may now be forced to play their matches outside of the country.
Reaching the Final, therefore, means a great deal to both sides, and winning will be an even more important statement for them both about their recovery from the shock and horror of the attack.
“What Lahore really brought home to us was we are just the same as anyone else,” said Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara.
“It happens to everyone and it happened to us. I always said it’s nice to be reminded of your mortality when the Press, and everyone else around you, builds you up to be a bit more than that in this sporting culture.
“It’s great the way the guys have prepared mentally, the way they’ve shown no fear and just played cricket. It’s a fitting reward for that attitude.”
Sri Lanka have been virtually unstoppable in the way they have reached the Final, epitomised by their 57-run demolition of West Indies in the second semi-final on Friday at The Oval.
Pakistan – runners-up two years ago to arch-rival India – have been typically unpredictable, but the manner in which they ousted South Africa by seven runs in the first semi-final on Thursday spoke volumes.
“We want to make people back home happy,” said Pakistan captain Younis Khan.
“Winning the title will mean a lot to them and that will inspire us in the Final. One more game and the World Cup will be ours.”
When the two sides met in the Super Eights, Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 19 runs, but this is expected to be an even tighter contest, once both sides play to their true ability.
“We’ve played Pakistan many times before, but in T20s, you must take every game in isolation,” said Sangakkara. “Different players come into form at different times.
“Hopefully, we can put in a good performance and walk away with a trophy.”
The contest is so tight that ultimately it could come down to which side fields better considering both have solid batting, and amazing variety in their bowling.
The batting is exemplified by Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, tournament top scorer Tillakaratne Dilshan, and Mahela Jayawardene for Sri Lanka, and Younis, Kamran Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, and Shahid Afridi for Pakistan.
Sri Lanka may hold the edge with the Three Ms – fast bowler Lasith Malinga, as well as the spin twins Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis.
After Friday’s semi-final burst of three wickets in the first over of the West Indies innings, they may want to add Angelo Matthews as the fourth M though.
But Pakistan can still boast of tournament top bowler Umar Gul, as well as fellow fast bowlers Abdul Razzaq and Mohammad Aamer, along with spinners Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Saeed Ajmal, and Fawad Alam.
Making a prediction is very difficult, but Sri Lanka will probably start as favourites for the consistency which they have shown in playing unbeaten.
The match will be televised “live” throughout the Caribbean on CMC television partners from 10 am
Squads:
PAKISTAN (from): Younis Khan (captain), Abdul Razzaq, Ahmed Shehzad, Fawad Alam, Iftikar Anjum, Kamran Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Aamer, Saeed Ajmal, Salman Butt, Shahid Afridi, Shahzaib Hasan, Shoaib Malik, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul
SRI LANKA (from): Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Muttiah Muralitharan (vice captain), Indika de Saram, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, Nuwan Kulasekara, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Matthews, Ajantha Mendis, Jehan Mubarak, Chamara Silva, Thilan Thushara, Isuru Udana
UMPIRES: Daryl Harper, Simon Taufel, TV Replays: Steve Davis, Reserve: Billy Bowden
MATCH REFEREE: Chris Broad