Shahid Afridi shone with bat and ball as Pakistan dumped South Africa by seven runs to storm into the World Twenty20 final. The maverick batsman smashed 51 from 34 balls and then grabbed 2-16 with his leg-spin as Pakistan successfully defended 4-149 to restrict the favoured Proteas to 5-142 before a sell-out crowd at Trent Bridge.
“It’s not a case of the pressure, we were just beaten by a better team. I am proud of the way we played. It’s sad and disappointing and I’m sure the people back home will feel the same, We wanted to finish on a successful note but good luck to Pakistan. They are a quality side. It is Twenty20 cricket, you are playing against international opposition with quality players and sometimes you get beaten. Today we were beaten. That’s the unfortunate thing, with the level we’ve played at throughout we probably deserve to be in the final but that’s not the way it works and that’s what makes the game so great. We were beaten by a great performance from Shahid Afridi and a Pakistan team that played better than us. That’s something we’ve got to deal with.” said South Africa skipper Graeme Smith.
“One more game and this World Cup is ours, We are slow starters, we arrived late, didn’t have a lot of practice sessions so there was no pressure on us. Suddenly we are in a good position. He is a match-winner. It’s all about his commitment and the teamwork.” said Pakistan captain Younus Khan.
“We’re very happy that the team is in the final. I love to have a performance like this. It was our last chance to make the final.” Shahid Afridi
Pakistan, runners-up to India in the inaugural World Twenty20 in South Africa two years ago, await the winners of Friday’s semi-final between Sri Lanka and the West Indies in Sunday’s final at Lord’s.
One Response
willow
June 18, 2009 at 11:12 pm
yay!!!!! this was fantastic right! … well deserved and about time we won at somthing. I wish them heaps n heaps of luck for finals! These are exciting times for the pakistani cricket team!