Michael Atherton says Pakistan's World Twenty20 triumph should give the country a much-needed lift.
Pakistan peaked at right time to seize silverware, says Athers
It's been a difficult time for Pakistan cricket - more so for Pakistan - since March's attacks in Lahore so anything that raises its profile has to be a good thing.
With no immediate prospect of playing at home and the chance they might lose their 2011 World Cup games, Pakistan's victory over Sri Lanka in Sunday's ICC World Twenty20 final was certainly timely.
No doubt millions of people were watching back home and hopefully this will give all those facing tough times a lift.
It all came together at the right time for Younus Khan's side; Pakistan certainly looked rusty in the warm-up matches as well as the early stages of the tournament.
Given the limitations on their international schedule and the non-involvement of their players in the IPL that was not surprising; they were undercooked and on a different day it could have cost them a place in the Super Eights.
Mercurial
Younus got a lot of stick for saying the tournament was just a bit of fun, comparing it to WWF - comments he later urged people not to take too seriously.
He was widely criticised at the time for that because his side was underperforming but I remember thinking 'good on him'.
I would have thought that one of the main things as a captain of a sub-continental team is to try and get the pressure off the team, to let them play naturally and express themselves.
Pakistan have got players who can do things that many other players in teams cannot. I don't think Younus was tactically brilliant a lot of the time but he has managed to get the most out of the squad's mercurial talent.
Ballast
From the moment Abdul Razzaq was cleared to join the squad, as a replacement for the injured Yasir Arafat, Pakistan went from strength to strength.
He gave Pakistan a cutting edge with the ball as well as some ballast down the order and his presence enabled Shahid Afridi to move up and bat with far more licence and freedom. When it mattered, Afridi was able to deliver.
Razzaq is an experienced cricketer; as well as proving that he's still fit enough and good enough to compete at the top level, he showed he has a cool head which is a big advantage on high-pressure days.
Umar Gul's ability to bowl full, fast and straight was also crucial to the side's success but Sri Lanka had the bowler of the tournament in Lasith Malinga. I can't imagine where I would hit him if I had to bat against him and I think several players in the tournament shared my view!
Adapted
The key at the death is not allow the batsman to set themselves; if the batsman knows the ball is going to be in one area and moving one way, then they can programme themselves to hit it in a certain area.
But once a bowler has the ability to hit you on the foot, hit you on the head, swing it both ways it is very difficult for a batsman to set himself. He then has to think on his feet which is a completely different proposition.
A great feature of this tournament has been the way in which bowlers such as Malinga and Gul have adapted to the conditions.
In the early days of Twenty20 a lot of people thought it was going to be a slog fest and that the balance between bat and ball which is so essential to the game would slip towards the bat. But that hasn't been the case because of the ingenuity and the skill of the bowlers.
However, my moment of the tournament does go to a batsman. My choice is Chris Gayle hitting Brett Lee for that stupendous six at the Oval. It was a huge six - the biggest I think I have ever seen.
Support
I'd go as far as to say that this has been a great tournament. The ICC does get a lot of flak and very often we hammer the administrators with good reason.
But I've been impressed with the way they have dovetailed the men's and the women's game and the way the tournament has been organised as a whole; it's been short and sharp and has left everyone wanting a little bit more.
The outstanding question is 'where does Pakistan go from here?' Well, there is a lot of goodwill on all sides to allow Pakistan to play at neutral venues.
I know they have held on-going discussions with the ECB, who are keen for Pakistan to come and compete against Australia in this country.
By no means is an agreement completely signed and sealed but after this tournament there can be no doubt that it won't be a popular move with fans given the great support all of the sub-continental teams have had in England.
