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Afridi steers Pakistan to much-needed victory, win sets off wild celebrations:We’re the Champions

* Man of the match Afridi’s half century, Razzaq’s three wickets prove crucial
* Lord’s a sea of roaring green as thousands cheer victory

LONDON: Pakistan erupted with joy on Sunday as Shahid Afridi struck an unbeaten 54 to take Pakistan to an eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the Twenty20 World Cup final at Lord’s.

Lord’s was a sea of roaring green as thousands of Pakistani supporters cheered the team all the way to the victory lap.

Afridi, who scored the winning run, stood and saluted the thousands of elated Pakistani supporters after hitting two sixes and two fours. He was named man-of-the-match after his team had completed an easy victory with eight balls to spare against the previously unbeaten Sri Lankans.

Sri Lanka were dealt quick blows after winning the toss and electing to bat. After 17-year-old Mohammad Amir had dismissed the tournament’s top scorer Tillakaratne Dilshan for nought in the first over, Abdul Razzaq claimed a wicket in each of his first three overs, removing Jehan Mubarak for a duck, Sanath Jayasuriya for 17 and Mahela Jaywardene for one. Captain Kumar Sangakkara himself led the rescue with a defiant unbeaten 64 from 52 balls. Sri Lanka seemed to have done well to finish with 138 runs in 20 overs, recovering from 78 for six in 15 overs.

Sangakkara switched his bowlers around continuously but Pakistan never looked in trouble and – with 37 runs from opener Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik’s 24 in the undefeated third-wicket partnership of 76 with Afridi – eased to their target, setting off a wave of fireworks and wild celebrations by jubilant youth taking to the streets in Pakistani cities and distributing sweets. agencies

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