Pakistan win the World Twenty20

Pakistan (139-2) won the second World Twenty20 tournament at Lord's yesterday, cantering to a win over Sri Lanka (138-6) by eight balls.

They were led to their total by a sparkling 54 off 40 balls from dangerman Shahid Afridi, who won his second consecutive man-of-the-match award in the eight-wicket win.

Sri Lanka will be disappointed not to have posted a more competitive total, but after losing two wickets in the first two overs for just two runs they were always chasing the game and their tally looked 20 shy of something their bowlers would be happy to defend.

Earlier in the day England's women won their version of the World Twenty20, defeating New Zealand by six wickets.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Mike Selvey, the Guardian: "It was an emotional occasion for a side who have been disenfranchised by terrorism, unable to play matches at home, destined to roam the world in search of cricket to sustain interest and their development. No one, not even those who would have seen as cathartic a Sri Lanka win, will begrudge them their triumph in front of a fervent crowd, the noise of which will have disturbed the St John's Wood Sunday for some hours afterwards."

Richard Hobson, the Times: "Nicknamed 'Boom Boom' for his forthright style, Afridi made it 'bust bust' for Sri Lanka. He followed his innings of 51 from 34 balls against South Africa in the semi-final with a 37-ball fifty completed with a six over wide mid-on and a four flicked to long leg during the eighteenth over from Isuru Udana, which brought 19 runs. Those believing in destiny will see the final as preordained after the abandonment of the Lahore Test in March in the wake of the terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team coach. But Younus, draped in the national flag and calling the win 'a gift to our nation', drew inspiration from elsewhere, dedicating the prize to Bob Woolmer, their coach, who died at the 2007 World Cup."

Nick Hoult, Daily Telegraph: "With the Three Ms - Muttiah Muralitharan, Lasith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis - to contend with chasing 139 was far from straightforward. But with Kamran Akmal and the 19-year-old Shahzaib Hasan setting off at a decent trot, they had 48 off seven overs before Sanath Jayasuriya took the first wicket, Pakistan were in command. Wickets were needed by Sri Lanka and as much as they contained, Afridi and Shoaib Malik paced themselves scoring 76 off 59 balls to win in the penultimate over." ·