Scorecard:

Sri Lanka: 138 for 6 (20 overs)

(Sangakkara 64* off 52 balls, Matthews 35* off 24 balls, Razzaq 3 for 20)

Pakistan: 139 for 2 (18.4 overs)

(Afridi 54* off 40 balls, Kamran 37 off 28 balls, Malik 24* off 22 balls, Jayasuriya 1 for

Sri Lanka began with a very shaky start and went down to 32 for 4 with Razzaq having struck thrice. And no soon had they recovered to add 35 runs for the 5th wicket that PPakistan struck twice again and they were now struggling at 70 for 6 off 13 overs. With unknown quantity Matthews walking in to join old war horse Sangakkara at the crease it looked real bleak for Sri Lanka. However, Matthews went ballistic with Sangakkara to add 68 runs off the last 7 overs.

Now Pakistan was under pressure. They began cautiously and even allowed Malinga to bowl a near maiden. They kept on slowly inching forward and were nearing 50 when they lost their first wicket. Now was the time to launch an attack and Afridi walked in. He looked a little subdued at the start and Kamran added a few runs on board when they lost a second wicket to Muralitharan’s first ball. Can Murali do it?

Well Pakistan slowly limped their way to 113 for 2 off 17 over. Now requiring 26 off 3 overs, it looked that the match was somewhat in Pakistan’s hand but Sri Lanka had a slight chance. They tried Udana. Well Pakistan decided in the very same over by smashing 19 runs. Now it was going to be very easy. Afridi completed the formalities in the next 4 balls.

Unpredictable Pakistan is the new World Champion.

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