India ended its Twenty20 World Cup campaign on a high when it defeated arch rivals Pakistan in the finals. The margin of victory was only 5 runs and the winner was decided in the 20th over of Pakistan innings. It couldn't get better than that.
India won back its supporters who deserted it after the disastrous world cup campaign in the Caribbean at the start of the year. All compliments to Dhoni who proved himself as a captain and to the Indian team which peaked up as the event progressed.
Sehwag missed today's match with a groin injury he picked up in the last game against the Oz. Yousuf Pathan, better known as Irfan Pathan's brother, filled his shoes as an opener and did a pretty good job by hitting two boundaries before falling to Asif. The Indian run rate was always near 7 an over and the score of 157 was largely due to the opener Gambhir's knock of 75 from 54 balls. Rohit Sharma provided hitting at the end overs. Dhoni and Yuvraj, who were largely responsible for India's previous wins, couldn't do much today. Having a decent total to defend, India's chances largely rested on the performances of its bowlers.
After restricting India to a relatively low total, the Pakistanis must have thought they hand one hand on the winners trophy. But it was not to be, as Indians took regular wickets. Pakistan lost the key wickets of Shoaib Malik and Afridi in the same over by Irfan Pathan. Irfan was largely impressive today, returning figures for 4-0-16-3 that proved the difference between the two sides. Misbah-ul-Haq went for hitting in the end overs that brought hope for Pakistan. 13 runs were required in the last over with a wicket in hand. Enter Joginder Sharma who bowled that superb last over against Aussies. He started with a wide that brought jeers from Indian fans. His second ball went for a SIX. 6runs from 4 balls and the Pakistanis were getting ready for champagne. Seeing a fielder at the short fine leg (which was Sreesanth) Misbah tried to be cute and scooped the ball in that direction. The ball could only go as far as the fielder and Sreesanth had held the catch of his life. Poor Misbah! it is him again in the last over of an Ind-Pak game. That ends the Pakistan innings and Indian staff were rushing on to the field to congratulate the victorious team.
According to me, both the teams should be complimented for their extra ordinary performances in this event. One should remember that, both came here after failing to cross group stages in the Caribbean World Cup. Man of the match to Irfan Pathan and man of the series to Afridi. One cannot, but feel sad that Yuvi missed on the man of the series award. But, the important thing is that India won the world cup and Dhoni, in his first campaign as a captain, brought home the cup that many captains would dream of. With this, I end my nonsense with a positive feeling. Au revoir, mon ami!!!
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