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.
Vinay Verma
Roar Guru
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.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
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
Guest
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?
Benjamin Conkey
Editor
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!