Sri Lanka and Pakistan to meet in dream final
Roar Guru
By vinay verma, 21 Jun 2009 Vinay Verma is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Cricket, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Twenty20, West Indies
Well, the fairytale has been written and all that remains is to see if it has a happy ending. All the cricketing Gods watched this on the biggest screen of all. This was redemption for Sangakarra and this was a victory for humanity.
Once again there were no losers today and the West Indies can take comfort knowing they were part of a greater ordainment.
Chris Gayle was rueful at the end saying “One man can take the game away.” He was not referring to himself as his unbeaten 63 was the only notable contribution in his team’s paltry 101.
He was referring to Sri Lanka’s hero, Dilshan, who may never score a hundred more meaningful than his 96. This innings erased the calamity that was Lahore. It lifted the spirits of a nation that has suffered at the hands of nature and man. Dilshan was a man inspired and his teammates got him on strike at every opportunity. Where the old man Jayasuriya struggled, Dilshan lapped, smoked and launched the ball.
The West Indies were out of the contest in the first over bowled by Mathews. On another day the three balls he got his wickets with would not have dislodged the bails. Chris Gayle was always fighting a losing battle. He was aware before the end that this was a script he was powerless to change. When Malinga shattered last man Benn’s stumps, there was no wild celebration. Only a realisation that come Sunday there was a whole new story that may prove bitter sweet in the end.
The final will be a celebration of cricket and the result seems irrelevant in the greater scheme of things.
This is the feelgood theme that will galvanise the people of Pakistan and Sri Lanka and cannot have failed to uplift those that love sport. Sri Lanka are unbeaten and notwithstanding the frivolity of Twenty/20, there is vindication that cricket, in any form, is capable of healing the wounds.
Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.
The Crowd Says (4) | Page 1 of Comments
Have Your Say
Do you have what it takes to become a sports writer? Write for the roar
Cricket articles
- What we do and don’t know about our Baggy Greens (112)
- Success of Twenty20 spells trouble for ODI cricket (106)
- Channel 9 commentators an annoyance this summer (99)
- Media should call stumps on Rodney Hogg (93)
- One Day Cricket is suffering from Middle Child Syndrome (89)
- Cricket Australia must take a stand against racist spectators (86)
- Dave’s Warner-ful switch-hit panned by precious critics (84)
- Australia vs Sri Lanka, Perth ODI: cricket live scores, commentary (137)
- Hall of Fame for Indian legend Gavaskar
- Sri Lanka to target ‘weak’ Aussie bowlers
- India backing Rohit Sharma to find form
- Game-by-game preview of round 19
- Twenty20 cricket not up to the test (5)
- Like father, like son: Alister McDermott on a fast track to the Test team (30)
- Australia vs Sri Lanka, Perth ODI: cricket live scores, commentary (137)
- Twenty20 cricket not up to the test (5)
- Pakistan’s win over England a triumph of character (21)
- Steve Waugh is right about cricket’s succession plan (5)
- India vs Sri Lanka, Perth ODI: cricket live scores, commentary (180)
- Let’s talk about selection, Test fans (28)
- Pakistan win shows what’s beautiful about the game (13)
- Explore:
- Cricket, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Twenty20, West Indies
Benjamin Conkey said | June 21st 2009 @ 6:08pm | Report comment
Dilshan is single-handedly changing my view of Twenty20 cricket. When I first saw him playing those ridiculous scoop shots over his head, I passed it off as a fluke. But then he just kept doing it. Yes, it’s pre-meditated but to be able to have such consistency on such a seemingly risky stroke is remarkable. Also, to score 96 runs when most of the other batsmen are struggling in a semi-final is superb. I’ll be watching tonight. Hopefully he’s got one more innings in him!
vinay verma said | June 21st 2009 @ 7:02pm | Report comment
Benjamin–Dilshan seems to have come of age in the last 12 months. He is starting to play some good Test innings and his fielding has always been exceptional. On the last tour of Australia he stood out as an exceptional fieler and a telented batsman. He is starting to realise his potential.
More than the results of these Twenty/20′s what interests me is that the good players can adjust their games. Tendulkar,Gilchrist,Ponting,Clarke. The key is the hunger. Guys like Ponting and Tendulkar want to preserve their longevity and seem disinterested in the hit and giggle. Some like Symonds and Gayle are born to it.
Above all I like the way the Sri Lankans add colour and music to the game. Much like the West Indies.
Has Old man River ,Sanath, got one last hurrah?
Kersi Meher-Homji said | June 22nd 2009 @ 10:24am | Report comment
Vinay,
I feel happy for the winners, Pakistan, and its people. They have at least one thing to cheer. Politics and hatered divide humanity, sports unite.
vinay verma said | June 22nd 2009 @ 11:47am | Report comment
You are so right ,Kersi.
If only politicians knew what the spirit of cricket,and sport,meant. Tiger Woods does more to unite America than any other person. The England team visiting India after the Mumbai atrocity is another point. The less charitable will say that it was a PR excercise. Goodwill without irony and help without patronising is what the world needs. The Soccer World Cup in South Africa could also help the dark continent see some light. Pity they dont play enough cricket in the Middle East.
keep well,mate.