Semis 2

Pakistan defeated the South Africa by 7-runs in the 1st semi-final played in Trent Bridge, Nottingham on Thursday.. This is the second time in the two T20 World Cup played till now, Pakistan have been to the finals. Last time Pakistan were in the finals at South Africa on 2007 where they were defeated by India by a small margin.

Talking about the Pakistan recent form it seems to have lots of ups and downs. But Pakistan looks always a strong side and they are the favorite in the 20 over format games. During the initial phases to the T20 series in England Pakistan seemed to be struggling. Losing both the warm-up matches Pakistan had a poor start in the tournament where they lost against the host England in their first group stage match. But they comeback well and fight for the super 8 position.

Same thing on Super eight stage, Pakistan were trembling badly in the initial match and pressure on winning the rest of two matches. Thanks a lot to their great performance against the New Zealand and Ireland which made their way in the semis of ICC World Twenty20 2009. Then, Pakistan faced the unbeaten team in the tournament i.e., South Africa in the final. Pressure built match for the teams.

Thanks to the all-round performance of Shahid Afridi Pakistan now play the finals on Sunday at Lord's. Shahid Afridi's  quick fire knock of 53 and 2-16 which was key in the Pakistan success in semi-finals. The inform bowlers' like Gul and Ajmal were fully on support to the team. SA the evergreen chokers of semifinals in big ICC events.. from 1992 till now, the team has had no luck in the semis..



Now, the 2nd semi final today.. Yet another unbeaten team in the tournament Sri Lanka face the resurgent West Indies. Sri Lanka and West Indies came from the same group C in 1st round of League stage. Both the teams defeated Australia in the group mathes and proved themselves very strong contender for the trophy of T20 World Cup 2009. In the group stage match Sri Lanka defeated West Indies easily. But the match was not so important for both the teams as they were already in the super eight stage.

After a tour in which West Indies did not record a single victory in any form of the game until their Twenty20 preparations got underway at the beginning of the month, they are now just two wins away from a turnaround.. Gayle's brilliant knock of 88 against Aussies set the trend for WI., they almost chased down 192 against lanka without Gayle, gave the knock out punch to India and then won a thriller against England in a rain curtailed match.. The team has been carrying on with the momentum that Gayle gave.. Lendl Simmons has been excellent, Bravo too.. Sarwan and Chanderpaul showed us why they are still a part of the team., technically sound knocks that enabled windies to enter semis.. The bowling has been decent with Taylor at the top.. If there is anything that could worry them is the absence of Edwards..

Sri lanka have players who have performed in all occasions.. Sanath and Dilshan have given them great starts.. Sangakkara was instrumental in guiding lankans past the might of Aussies (heheh),, Jayawardene has come back to form in the last 2 games.. Mubarak and Mathews are there for hitting the ball over cow corner in the final overs if needed.. Murali and Mendis have been the nemesis of all teams.. All those who have said "Mendis is not a threat" have got out to him in the first over itself.. Slinger Malinga at the death overs is difficult to get away.. Isuru Udana with his top ball being the quicker one delivers 4 slow balls per over.. The team looks to repeat their 1996 glory and no umpire would stop them from doing so this time..

One team with unbeaten record was beaten by a resurgent team in the 1st of the 2 semi finals !! The second semi final is no different, unbeaten Lanka vs resurgent Windies..