Pakistan are a serious bet for ‘fun cricket’ title

Tom Collomosse
19 Jun 2009

Pakistan have proved they are deadly serious about “fun cricket” by knocking favourites South Africa out of the World Twenty20 — and few would bet against Younus Khan's team having the last laugh in the final at Lord's.

Captain Younus appeared to dismiss Twenty20 cricket as unimportant after his team's heavy defeat by England in the group stage.

But Pakistan are now only one victory away from lifting the trophy, an achievement which would be all the more remarkable as they arrived in this country as the pariahs of cricket.

It is unlikely that Pakistan will be allowed to play internationals in their own country for the foreseeable future, following the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore earlier this year. Indeed, next year's “home” Test series against Australia could even be staged in England.

But Pakistan's run to the final — where they will meet either Sri Lanka or West Indies, who were due to meet in the second semi-final at The Oval today —has put the troubled country on the map for the right reasons.

“We know it will give a big lift to everyone back home if we can win this competition. This World Cup is everything to us,” said Younus, whose side won by seven runs.

“We are suffering from everything in Pakistan and everyone knows about all the fighting, a lot of fighting. If we can lift the cup, it will provide great cheer for the people.”

Pakistan had won only three matches — two of them against minnows Holland and Ireland – before the showdown at Trent Bridge, whereas South Africa arrived with a 100 per cent record.

Yet the Proteas had no answer to a brilliant performance from all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who scored 51 from 34 balls before removing key batsmen Herschelle Gibbs and AB De Villiers during an outstanding spell of leg-spin bowling, which yielded two for 16 from his four overs.

Even though his team are on the brink of their first major global title since winning the 50-over World Cup in 1992, Younus retains a light-hearted attitude to the shortest form of the game. He added: “I still believe Twenty20 cricket is entertainment' cricket, and this is because none of the top teams like South Africa, Australia or India made the final.

“There will be no specific planning for the final. We will go there and play our natural game. It is all about the individual.”

Although there was much to be admired about South Africa's ruthlessly efficient cricket throughout the tournament, the fact remains that Graeme Smith's men once again lost their nerve at a vital moment.

Smith's side appear unable to improvise when their meticulous plans do not bear fruit, and the captain admitted: “Every time we lose an important game, the word chokers' is thrown around. But Pakistan brought their A' game to this match.

“Shahid Afridi was the difference. His four overs brought Pakistan back into the game. We lost our way and never got back into it. I think we deserved to be in the final with the way we performed during this tournament, but that is not how it works.”