People gathered around giant screens on roads and in front of televisions in hotels and restaurants in all the main Pakistani cities hours before the match. They clapped and danced on the beat of drums at the fall of every Sri Lankan wicket. They watched Kamran Akmal’s opening salvos with bated breath, too tense to enjoy the fact that the openers were playing a safe game. When Shahid Afridi, with his eagle-eyed look and bring-it-on walk, came on, fans dared to hope that there was still a chance, that he was going to be different. And what a difference he made. He made 54 off 40 balls, only two sixes and two fours, and even dived to save his wicket. A moment came on the fourth ball of the 19th over, a perfect Lasith Malinga yorker that Afridi edged on to his ankle, and ran a quick single to complete a remarkable victory. We all cheered, hugged each other, and thronged the streets, thrilled to see our team in top form again – even if Afridi might stay back in England to get that ankle looked at.
Where were you when it happened? How did you react? What were your favourite moments of the game? The most tense? And how did you celebrate? Send in your reactions and wishes for the Pakistani team.
A few friends gathered together to cheer for the team in Karachi. While some acquaintances mocked on our enthusiasm (all dressed in the teams green shirts)- we had the best time in our lives right from the first maiden wicket over by Amir till the last ball Pakistan seemed to be all over the field over shadowing un-beaten players at every step. We cheered and screamed like we were in the stadium and celebrated the victory. After 1992 this was my best memorable match to write about.
watch at local resturant. with about 200 pakistanis… great fun…but most important thing which everybody noticed was that “Invincible spirit and pure pakistani Soul is still well and alive ” where ever pakistanis live…. the echos of celebrations were heard in every corner of the world. Where ever we live but when it comes to any news from pakistan we all pakistanis feel same… sad when something bad happens and happy when a good news arrive. Congrats to all pakistan. Love Pakistan. Long Live Pakistan
Afridi standing tall after the winning run. Wow! what a moment? Couldn’t stop the tears:)
Pakistan Zindabad
Well played pakistan and I think Kamran Akmal deserves a huge pat on his back.
PAKISTAN YOU BEAUTY – T20 WORLD CHAMPIONS 2009. Thank you TEAM PAKISTAN for giving the NATION such a wonderful GIFT in time of difficulties. May ALLAH SWT bless you ALL and our people!!!!
Hi Jithin,
Thanks for your remarks.
Since, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are best friends, so a gesture of good feelings towards each other is surely a natural outcome.
I was glued to my laptop screen in Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina and boy what a treat this tournament has been. Finally something to break the series of depressive news that have encircled our troubled nation. It was so relieving man I just cant put together the words to describe it- Pure awesomeness. Way to go Pakistan!!
My favorite moment was when Pakistan anthem was played, there was not a dry eye in Ohio’s Pakistni community when we won-Pakistan Zindabad
I am a British Pakistani and have lived in London since 1965. I therefore had to be at Lord’s for the final. I was there with my youngest daughter and prior to the match I was quitely confident Pakistan would win but when Aamir Malik the seventeen year old got Dilshan out for nought in the first over caught by another nineteen year old youngster I was convinced we will win. This is because Dilshan had been the main batsman for Sri Lanka throughout the tournament. Sri Lanka were only in the final because of his 96 not out against west Indies, otherwise their batting had failed. However, the whole Pakistan team played like CHAMPIONS, especially Razzaq, Kamran, Malik and ofcourse Afridi.
A dedicated and well-coordinated team-effort pays off in the end.
Pakistani cricket team has won the world-cup.
Hopefully, the same spirit would continue among the team-members.
However, it is a tiny part for a new beginning.
The major challenge still haunts the nation, and that is a lack of political awareness.
A poorly equipped leadership is facing many untold problems while addressing the issues of terrorism.
The nation should be united and act collectively to achieve the goal.
Pakistan armed forces have made some significant achievements, but that is not enough.
Now, Pakistan should be seriously focused onto achieving’ world cup’ in re-establishing ‘the writ of the state’ and sooner the better.
I woke up an hour before the start of the game to setup my computer with the TV to ensure that the internet stream was working and not a single ball was missed. 10-12 of our friends in Ottawa, Canada watched the game at my place. It was an unbelievable day and like 24 March 1992, 21 June 2009 it will be etched in out memories never to be forgotten. All this while i kept praying that We need this more than any one else, even more than the Sri Lankans who themselves have seen war. I honestly believe this victory should be dedicated to the Unity of Pakistan and it should belong to the people of NWFP, Pakhtoons of Pakistan.
We are a very small Pakistani community here in Boulder, Colorado, and many of us are back home in Pakistan in the summer. Still, a few of us got together. We were screaming ourselves hoarse throughout the match. And we were nervous every ball till Afridi hit that six to Udana. That was a great moment. Another great moment was when we got the Player of the tournament Dilshan out on the fifth ball on a duck. My heart was in my mouth when that ball was in the air and the fielder was running for it, not knowing whether he would catch that or not. But he did, and what a moment! Later on I took out a few guys for ice-cream
What a day to remember!
Pakistan Zindabad, I write with tears in my eyes.
I cant ask for more today. thanks to Allah and the Pakistani Cricket team. they have made us proud.
Long live Pakistan.
I was at Lord’s where the historical event
took place.Congratulations to whole nation on this win.This is a great gift to the nation by PK cricket team after 17 years.Trust me ,it looked at lord’s that I was in karachi ,the fans were fantastic.
I watched game at Australian time about 2:00AM until 4:AM in morning in Melbourne,My family was watching in Sydney and after teh win we xcanged Congratsd Text among fmaily memebrs…The best part i like int eh game was at teh end when all the team members Bow in front of Allah and thanked him, making Muslims proud all over the world…Good job boys…not to forget younes and Shahid….Imran
Have been fan of cricket in general and Pakistani cricket in particular for a long time and I must say I am very excited that Pakistan finally won a major tournament, it was long overdue. First couple of overs were very exciting when Amir got Dilshan(top run getter of the tournamnet) and than Razzaq chipped in. Umar Gul has been brilliant in his bowling though little disappointing in the final. Congratulation to all the Pakistani cricket fans and to the team. Well deserved victory…
We live in Melbourne. I watched the game along with my family at home. We loved watching the whole game. We thoroughly enjoyed the PAKISTANI TEAM’S DOMINATING PERFORMANCE right from the beginning until the very last ball of the game. It was as good as gold.
Many thanks to Allah (SWT) for these happy moments and let’s pray that there are many more happy times are to come for the Muslims all around the world (Insha-Allah).
PAKISTAN ZINDAHABAAD
QAID-E-AZAM PAINDABAAD
All I can say is Alhamdulillah! I believe that when we pray as a nation, Allah listens to our prayers and then grants our wishes. So please pray for Pakistan’s prosperity. May Allah guide us and keep our nation on the straight path. Ameen!
I was at my home on the father’s day when i saw this game brought tears of joy in my eyes then and now as i write my mind.
The best gift for our nation, after legendary our favorite Imran Khan’s ’92 title, at this crucial times when everybody left us alone only the Help of Allah saved us and the true hard work by our valiant players and troops make me proud to be pakistani. Pakistan zindabad. My special thanks to Younis khan, Shahid afridi, Umer Gul and the rest of the Lions who conquered the world title for Pakistan. I loved the aggressive attitude from Afridi specially when he gave that flying kiss to Jacque Kallis
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL PAKISTANIS EVERYWHERE and hope to see more of this more often INSHALLAH.
great job to the pakistani cricketers. deserve all the respecti the world now. only thing i wonder is why are their so many anti india comments? why so much hatred, even though pakistan beat sri lanka. give up the insecurity guys, u r a great nation, dont have to put another down to feel better about yourselves.
Got up at 9 USA Central bought the streaming and watched it on my laptop. As soon as the kids got up connected it to my TV.
And when Afridi ran the last run i felt the same what i did in 1992. Great gift to my country cannot come at a better time than this.
Jazba Junoon to himmat na har…!!!!
Watched the match on my laptop here in Houston US. Was missing the celebrations back home like anything. Best moment… ball blazing away in the stands and Udana haplessly wathing it go go go… and then the charismatic afridi stlye to celebrate what we badly needed…. Long Live Pakistan. Pakistan Zindabad…
PS: DAWN.com, you guys are doing great…. i am proud to be a part of the team that made this web portal possible.
My favourite moments of the game would include the first wicket of Dilshan, taken by Mohammed Aamer; certainly a vital breakthrough. In addition, the surge of emotions my family and I felt after the last run. My family and I watched the game in Mississauga, Canada, and as soon as Pakistan won, my sister and I hugged each other with a sense of pride. Those moments will undoubtedly remain with us and will remind us what being a Pakistani means to us.
A great moment! I have always believed Pakistan cricket. And to top it off 3 Pakistan cricketers selected for ICC T20! We have a ton of potential and a ton to spare!
How sweet is it!
Dil Dil Pakistan
LonG Live Pakistan
Proud To be Pakistan
And
Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan
each n every sec of the final show was awesome