Pakistan skipper Younis Khan admitted winning the World Twenty20 tournament will provide a massive lift for trouble-torn Pakistan and the nation's partisan cricket supporters.
Pakistan skipper Younis Khan admitted winning the World Twenty20 tournament will provide a massive lift for trouble-torn Pakistan and the nation's partisan cricket supporters.
Pakistan booked their place in Sunday's final at Lord's via a seven-run success over South Africa at Trent Bridge last night.
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Afridi sends one to the fence en route his 51 off 33 balls |
A fine all-round performance by Shahid Afridi was the main reason for Pakistan clinching a place in their second successive Twenty20 final after losing in 2007 to India.
Afridi hit a rapid 51 off 33 balls with eight boundaries and then picked up two wickets for 16 runs in his four-over spell.
Great cheerYounis said, "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.
"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."
Younis added, "In Twenty20 cricket it is all about things coming together at the right time.
"I have match winners I can call upon like Afridi and Umar Gul who is improving every day.
"We have been slow starters in this competition but suddenly we are in the final.
"The plan for the final is to play our natural game and do well in bowling, batting and, especially, fielding.
"I felt we were 15 to 20 runs short tonight and South Africa are capable of chasing 200 but we responded well."
Repeat performanceMan-of-the-match Afridi said, "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."
Afridi added he was looking for a similar show in the final. "Inshaallah, if I can come up with another performance like this in the final it will be good for Pakistan cricket" he said.
Asked which one was more satisfying scoring the half century or taking two wickets, "Both batting and bowling. I am happy with whatever I can contribute for the team."
Afridi, the differenceSouth Africa captain Graeme Smith said, "It is obviously disappointing and sad to be leaving the tournament now. We have played some great cricket in this tournament and played some great cricket today.
"But Pakistan brought their 'A' game to this match and every cog worked well for them.
"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. Pakistan played better than us."
Smith rejected the theory South Africa lose their nerve at crucial stages of major tournaments and insists his side are progressing in the right direction.
He said, "Every time we lose an important game, that word, chokers, is thrown around.
"But we have played great cricket and I am proud of the way the guys have performed.
"During the last couple of years we have been on an upward curve and the team will improve and get stronger and stronger."
