OTD | Pakistan won their only T20 World Cup Title by defeating Sri Lanka at Lord’s in 2009

Pakistan fell agonizingly short against India in the 2007 T20 World Cup final. A five-run loss in the last over against arch-rivals handed them a heartbreak in Johannesburg, but that only made them stronger to return to Lord’s and lift the trophy. On 21 June 2009, a spirited PAK unit led by Younis Khan won their maiden title in the shorter format of the game. 

The Men in Green had a horror start to their campaign, losing to England by 48 runs. They bounced back with an 82-run win over the Netherlands, but only for Sri Lanka to floor them in their third match. However, back-to-back wins against New Zealand and Ireland helped them reach the semi-finals of the second edition of the marquee event. 

They faced South Africa in the first semi-final at Trent Bridge. The Pakistan bowlers managed to defend the target of 150 runs and make it to the finals for the second time in a row. That set the stage for Pakistan and Sri Lanka to battle it out in a high-octane encounter at the iconic Lord’s.

Pakistan’s bowlers once again produced a brilliant performance to restrict their Asian rivals to 138-6 in 20 overs. Kumar Sangakkara, who scored 64 off 52, was their top-scorer. Right-arm pacer Abdul Razaq was wrecker-in-chief as he picked up three wickets, conceding 20 runs in three overs. Mohammad Amir, Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul also chipped in with one wicket each. 

Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik steer Pakistan to a comfortable win

Batting in reply, Pakistan got a decent start from openers Kamran Akmal and Shahzaib Hasan. The duo put on a 48-run partnership in 7.1 overs. Muttiah Muralitharan and Sanath Jayasuriya managed to get Sri Lanka into the game by dismissing both the openers in quick succession. However, all-rounders Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik ensured they did not lose any more wickets and steered them to a comfortable win in 18.4 overs. 

Afridi smashed 54* off 40 balls, including two sixes and as many as fours. Mailk, on the hand, scored 24* off 22 balls with the help of a boundary. Afridi was awarded the Player of the Match for his scintillating half-century and a brilliant four-over spell that resulted in a wicket at an economy rate of just 5.00. It took Pakistan 13 years to reach another final of the T20 World Cup. They played against England in 2022 but lost by five wickets in Melbourne. 

Also read: Australia defeated Pakistan to lift their 2nd ODI World Cup title in 1999