Pakistan’s Group B in the 2009 World T20 was the only group where the two teams to go forward into the last-eight were decided on the basis on run rate.
Hosts England opened the event with a shock loss to minnows Netherlands. The loss was followed by a victory over Pakistan in the latter’s first match of the tournament. However, in their second encounter of Group B, Pakistan downed Netherlands by 82 runs to go forward.
In Group A, India won both their matches to top the group. In Group C, Sri Lanka were on top with two wins while South Africa remained unbeaten in Group D.
Pakistan were then pitted against Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Ireland in Group F. Meanwhile, South Africa, India, West Indies and England made it in Group E.
Pakistan was able to down New Zealand and Ireland but lost to Sri Lanka in their group. While, South Africa, famously known for choking at the last hurdles, were unbeaten in their group.
We are not producing quality cricketers, says Afridi
The semis saw Pakistan take on Greame Smith-led South Africa while Sri Lanka took on West Indies as the latter upset favourites India and England.
PHOTO: AFP
The semi-final was a spectacle as the Men in Green walked on to the pitch to bat first after winning the toss. Openers Shahzaid Hasan (0) and Kamran Akmal (23) departed on 28. Afridi was sent at number three above Shoaib Malik, Younus Khan (captain), Abdul Razzaq, Misbahul Haq and Fawad Alam — all considered better options to stabilise the innings than ‘Boom Boom’.
However, Afridi didn’t disappoint that day.
With the help of eight boundaries, he blistered his way towards 51 off just 34 balls maintaining a strike rate of exactly 150. Malik (34), Younus (24*) and Razzaq also made important contributions after Lala was caught at midwicket by AB de Villiers off JP Duminy at the start of the 13th over.
A target of 150 runs was set for South Africa to chase who were boasting one of their finest batting line-ups in the event, including Jacques Kallis, Smith the captain, Herschelle Gibbs, de Villiers, Duminy, Albie Morkel and the ever dependable Mark Boucher.
The plan was very simple for Pakistan: they had to get 10 wickets to win the match because this batting line-up, if given a chance, was able to run over any total on any given day. However, Pakistan did the unpredictable as always.
They restricted the Proteas to 142-5 to win the match by seven runs. Afridi played a pivotal role in defence as he broke the back bone of South Africa’s middle order by bowling Gibbs and de Villiers out in successive seventh and ninth over of the match.
Pakistan, then, went to lift the 2009 World T20 trophy as they beat Kumar Sangakkara-led Sri Lanka by eight wickets courtesy Afridi’s 54 off 40 balls assisted by two boundaries and two sixes.
Here are Afridi’s batting and bowling highlights from the semi-final
@ Article by Abdul Majeed at Tribute
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