Pakistan take Twenty20 title

Shahid Afridi charged Pakistan to World Twenty20 glory as previously-unbeaten Sri Lanka were defeated by eight wickets in the final at Lord's.

All-rounder Afridi hit an unbeaten 54 as he orchestrated a perfect Pakistani chase of their 139-run target.

Victory was sealed with eight balls to spare when Afridi scrambled a leg-bye.

Within seconds the entire squad and backroom staff knelt and kissed the hallowed turf in communal celebration.

These teams were drawn together by the horrific terrorist attack in Lahore this year, which left Sri Lankan players traumatised and wounded and Pakistan without home international fixtures for the foreseeable future.

In the build-up to this all-Asian showpiece, Pakistan captain Younis Khan had voiced his desire to win the tournament as a reminder to the international cricketing community of his side's existence and for his fellow countrymen, who are suffering because of the effects of terrorism in the north-west of his homeland.

Sri Lanka triumphed in the previous meeting between the sides in the tournament, also at Lord's, but just as in the Super Eights contest, the Pakistanis were unperturbed by the Sri Lankan spinners.

Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan were taken for 54 runs in their combined seven overs for the price of opener Shahzaib Hasan.

Crucially, it was Afridi's calculated attack on Murali, on his return to the attack for the 14th over, which proved pivotal.