Reverse Swing
Congrats to Sri Lanka for a perfect game. The cricketing world will definitely be smiling for the Lankans as they thoroughly deserved the title. They have been denied for the last four World Cup events, 2007 and 2011 World Cups and 2009 and 2012 World Twenty20. It was perfect finale of an exciting event and everybody was thrilled throughout the tournament.
I remember the last time Sri Lanka won a major world title was in our backyard in 1996. Ever since then the Sri Lankan cricket has come a long way. They have played good cricket and have shown real progress and can be regarded as one of the most consistent Asian teams. I am particularly happy for the two old foxes -- Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. Both have served the game and their country well and it was befitting that Sangakkara came into form in the big match. That shows the quality of the man. He chose the final to come into form in an otherwise silent tournament. I hope they continue to serve their team until next year's world cup and end their careers on a high as they have done in this World Twenty20.
Sri Lanka read the situation well and that helped them to make the final a one-sided affair.
Hard luck for India. They could have become the first ever team to win three titles in a row after their 2011 World Cup and last year's Champions Trophy. But it was not their day. Once again Virat Kohli was tremendous. He has been Indian batting's mainstay and showed his class once again but unfortunately other batsmen, especially Yuvraj Singh, failed to supplement Kohli. The middle overs were very miserly for India and at the death Sri Lankans bowled very well. Consider that there was no boundary in the last four overs and Kohil got to play only seven balls in those last four overs. That put paid to India's chances. I am sure Dhoni will rue why he didn't send Suresh Raina or promoted himself up the order instead of a struggling Yuvraj.
But over all it was a good tournament. It will be remembered for Sri Lanka's resilience, India's consistency, Kohli's brilliance and the top of the flops -- Australia and Pakistan. But everyone enjoyed the tournament and now look forward to the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
I had a wonderful time in Bangladesh. Thank you all.
The writer is a former Pakistan cricket captain and one of the finest swing bowlers and currently a TV commentator and presenter
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