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ICC World Twenty20 final: India vs Pakistan - the mother of all matches

24 SEPTEMBER 2007 is one of the mostwin over World Champions Australia. Just
important days in the history ofafter the wins of their respective
cricket, as the first final of ICC Worldteams, the cricket fans of the Indian
Twenty20 is going to be held on thissub-continent started to celebrate by
day. On Monday, two of the titans, Indiabursting crackers and by other means. On
and Pakistan are going to meet at theSaturday, after India's win over
Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg in SouthAustralia in the semi-final of World
Africa. It is really interesting thatTwenty20 Cup, captain Mahendra Singh
both these team made it to the finals ofDhoni said, "It's the biggest stage and
World Twenty20, just six months afterthe biggest match you can play, it's a
first-round exits from the World Cupmatch that needs to be played with
2007 in West Indies. However, forgettingintensity and I think we are ready to do
their World Cup 2007 failure as athat." While vice-captain Yuvraj Singh,
distant nightmare, India and Pakistanwho made a quick 70 off 30 balls and was
turned the tables in the inaugural Worlddeclared man of the match on Saturday,
Twenty20 Cup. Initially, it was notsaid, "India versus Pakistan is a dream
clear if India and Pakistan would befinal, the whole world is going to be
able to reach to the finals of Worldwatching."
Twenty20, as other teams like Australia,Indian and Pakistani cricket fans are
New Zealand and host South Africa werepraying for their respective teams. Who
also hot favourites.would win, will become clear before 9 pm
The young Indian team landed in Southtoday. We do not know what will happen,
Africa without their big guns - Sachinbut Indian team is surely looking for
Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravidthe title, in the shorter and newest
and Zaheer Khan. Interestingly, theversion of game. This may happen, as the
average age of the players is below 24Indian team has learned how to win
years. Here I would specially like tomatches. We can expect our batsmen -
mention that India team's achievement isVirender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Robin
remarkable, as they do not have aUthappa, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh
special coach for the tournament. TheDhoni and Rohit Sharma to come up with
strong determination of players andgood innings and bowlers - RP Singh,
teamwork took them to finals.Sreesanth, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh
On the other hand, the Pakistan team,and Joginder Sharma to return with
which passed through a dismal phasemagical figures.
after death of former coach Bob WoolmerMoreover, it is a great moment for all
in Jamaica, are also having aIndians and we hope that Indian team
comparatively less-experienced team.will repeat the magic of World Cup 1983.
Middle-order batsman Mohammad Yousuf andIt is a truth that team India has a
all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, who had a'final phobia' and that has taken away
contract rift with the PCB (Pakistanvictory from India's hands several times
Cricket Board) could not make theirin the past. However, in this World
place in the team and controversialTwenty20 Cup, team India is looking
strike bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who hit thedifferent, their excellent performances
teammate Mohammad Asif, was sent homeand fighting spirit will surely make
from South Africa.them champions. Till the start of the
Despite such ups and downs, both Indiagame we can only say- "come on India!
and Pakistan played exceptional cricketCome on Dhoni's army! We want the first
in South Africa. Apart from a singleWorld Twenty20 Cup from you guys. Just
defeat against New Zealand in the firststand up, gather your potential and
match of Super 8s, the Indian teamscore a sensational win over our
performed very well all through theneighbour Pakistan."
tournament. The India team, underIndia Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni
supervision of Mahendra Singh Dhoni,(Captain), Yuvraj Singh (Vice-captain),
defeated Pakistan in the first round, inVirender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Robin
a 'bowl out' by 3-0, after a tied game.Uthappa, Rohit Sharma, Joginder Sharma,
Later they beat England and the hostIrfan Pathan, Rudra Pratap Singh, S
South Africa, in must win matches in theSreesanth, Harbhajan Singh, Yusuf
Super 8s.Pathan, Piyush Chawla, Ajit Agarkar and
Meanwhile, the other finalist Pakistan,Dinesh Karthik.
under the captaincy of Shoaib Malik lostPakistan Squad: Shoaib Malik (Captain),
only one game against India but won theSalman Butt (Vice-captain), Imran Nazir,
rest of their matches in the tournamentYounis Khan, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad
against Scotland, Sri Lanka, AustraliaAsif, Sohail Tanvir, Shahid Afridi,
and Bangladesh in the Super 8s stage.Fawad Alam, Umar Gul, Mohammad Hafeez,
In the first semi-final, Pakistan beatMisbah-ul-Haq, Yasir Arafat, Iftikhar
New Zealand and in the secondAnjum and Abdur Rehman.
semi-final, India scored a fine 15 runs



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