Colombo: An inspired West Indies tonight clinched the ICC World Twenty20 crown with a comfortable 36-run victory over Sri Lanka, riding on Marlon Samuels` brilliant counter-attacking knock to win a major global title after over three decades.
Batting first in front a 35,000 partisan crowd, Samuels held his nerve as he smashed a heroic 78 off 56 balls to steer West Indies to 137 for six and then the Caribbeans shot out out the hosts for 101 in 18.4 overs.
It is the West Indies` first world title after a gap of 33 years having won the ODI World Cup back in 1979. They did triumph in the Champions Trophy in 2004, but that is not considered a World Cup.
For Sri Lanka and Mahela Jayawardene, it was another case of `so-near-yet-so-far` having now lost four World Cup finals (two 50 overs and two T20s) across two categories.
After Lasith Malinga was caught in the deep, Darren Sammy and his bunch of dedicated soldiers broke into an impromptu Gangnam dance as there was a deathly silence at the R Premadasa Stadium.
Samuels played one of the most memorable innings under pressure as he thumped five of his half a dozen of sixes off T20 specialist Lasith Malinga`s bowling, making batting look easy on a pitch where almost every other batsmen struggled.
A wicket was like icing on the cake as he deservedly won the Man-of-the-Match award. The win was more creditable as Chris Gayle, who has been in marauding form prior to the title clash, failed.
Samuels alone spoiled Malinga`s figures as he went for 54 off four overs after Ajantha Mendis took 4/12.
While only 32 runs came off the first 10 overs, the Caribbeans, courtesy Samuels and skipper Darren Sammy (26 no, 15 balls, 3×4) managed 106 in the back 10.
The total might not have been a challenging one but the manner in which Samuels batted, having scored more than half the runs, the innings will be remembered for a long time to come especially as other West Indian batsmen looked like lambs ready to be slaughtered.
Photo and article: zeenews.india.com
Hello! I’ve been following your web site for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Porter Texas! Just wanted to say keep up the great work!
I’m impressed by the quality of this content! The author has obviously put a great amount of effort into exploring and structuring the information. It’s exciting to come across an article that not only gives valuable information but also keeps the readers hooked from start to finish. Great job to her for making such a masterpiece!
Good info. Lucky me I reach on your website by accident, I bookmarked it. Seo Paketi Skype: By_uMuT@KRaLBenim.Com -_- live:by_umut
Hi, just required you to know I he added your site to my Google bookmarks due to your layout. But seriously, I believe your internet site has 1 in the freshest theme I??ve came across.Seo Paketi Skype: By_uMuT@KRaLBenim.Com -_- live:by_umut
Thank you for content. Area rugs and online home decor store. Hello Administ . Seo Paketi Skype: By_uMuT@KRaLBenim.Com -_- live:by_umut
Thank you great post. Hello Administ .Seo Paketi Skype: By_uMuT@KRaLBenim.Com -_- live:by_umut
Great post thank you. Hello Administ . Seo Paketi Skype: By_uMuT@KRaLBenim.Com -_- live:by_umut
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a leisure account it. Glance complicated to far delivered agreeable from you! By the way, how could we keep in touch?