LONDON: Pakistan vowed to play the game of their lives in a bid to cheer up embattled countrymen back home as they prepared to take on in-form Sri Lanka in the ICC World Twenty20 final here at Lord's today.
The green juggernaut has taken the 12-nation spectacle by storm, swaggering into the title clash with authoritative wins over New Zealand and South Africa and is now focusing on overcoming the unbeaten Sri Lankans to grab the big prize this evening.
A match in international cricket seldom gets bigger than this. Younis Khan summed it up when he said that it would be like a dream come true if he lifts the trophy at the home of cricket.
"It's the World Cup, it's the final, its Lord's with such a crowd. It's a chance for us to make our biggest dream come true," said the Pakistan captain here at Lord's yesterday ahead of the grand finale.
Younis was spot on when he declared that a World Cup triumph today will boost his nation's morale back home.
"There are lots of problems back home especially in the north. I'm from Mardan and I know it's bad," he said. "It would be fantastic for Pakistan if we win tomorrow and will be great for the future of our cricket as well."
Having won their last three games in a row after a shaky start, Pakistan are all set to field the same team that outclassed Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa to march into the final. "We are going to have the same team because there are no injuries," said Younis.
It would be Pakistan's third World Cup final in the last ten years, having lost the previous two against Australia (1999) and India (2007).
Younis was confident it would be a case of third time lucky for Pakistan. "We will try to finish this time," he said. "We must win this tournament because it would be a great achievement for me and my team." Seldom has a single cricket match put so much responsibility on a team. If Pakistan win today, it would send a wave of happiness in a country that is dogged by suicide bombings, political uncertainty and economic downslide. "It's a great responsibility but the boys are dedicated and focused and I'm very confident ahead of the final."
The spotlight will be on Shahid Afridi, when Pakistan takes the field against the Islanders. The seasoned all-rounder lit up the contest with intense outings in previous games and is expected to play a major role in Pakistan's campaign for the title.
But Younis tried to play down the Afridi factor, saying that it's all about playing as a team.
"It's not only Afridi," he said. "We have other match-winners like Umar Gul, the young Mohammad Aamer. There are also a couple of in-form batsmen in our team." Having watched Sri Lanka thrash West Indies in a one-sided semifinal at The Oval on Friday night, Younis underlined the fact that a good start would be key to success in the final.
"They (Sri Lanka) took three quick wickets and then went on to win easily," he said."If we get a good start, we could do the same."
