After a substandard World Cup 2007 campaign, the defining moment has arrived for Pakistan cricket. Without senior players like Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Akhtar, Abdul Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood, a youthful faction has played the brand of cricket that the Asian giants are celebrated for.

They have in their scheme of things – the fiery fast-bowling from Mohamamd Asif, Sohail Tanvir and Umar Gul, dependable middle-order batsmen and the star studded all-rounder Shahid Afridi. The Pakistan team is roaring more than ever and has a realistic chance of capturing the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 championship.

ICC World Twenty20: Won: 4, Lost: 0, Tied: 1 (Lost in bowl-out)

Super Eight - Group F - Paksitan defeat Bangladesh by 4 wickets
Debutant Zunaed Siddique scored a courageous half-century but was deprived of adequate support as Bangladesh were bundled out for just 140.

A spirited bowling performance led by Abdur Razzaq a put tremendous pressure on Pakistan, who did not have it easy while chasing a target of 141. The explosive Shahid Afridi opened the innings top-scored with 39.

Pakistan won the match by 4 wickets with one over to spare. With the victory, the Asian giants completed three consecutive victories in the Super Eight stage, romping into the semi-final stage with their confidence on an all-time high.

The Bangladeshi spinners pegged the Pakistani innings back after an initial blitz from Afridi and Hafeez. Imran Nazir, who was struck by Mashrafe Mortaza delivery, was retired hurt before he returned to bat to guide his team to victory.

Super Eight - Group F - Pakistan defeat Australia by 6 wickets
Two nights in a row the Pakistani side produced a staggering performance. They managed to restrict the Aussies to a modest total of 164 – young left-arm seamer Sohail Tanvir was the pick of the bowlers, ending with figures of 3/31 from his four overs.

Later, it was the turn of Misbah-ul-Haq and captain Shoaib Malik to guide their team to a colossal victory, especially after they were in totters at 46-4, with their top four batsmen back in the hut. The two batsmen scored unbeaten half-centuries to ensure Pakistan clinched a convincing 6-wicket victory.

With the victory, Pakistan almost confirmed a semi-final berth.

Super Eight - Group F - Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 33 runs
A 101-run partnership between Younus Khan and Shoaib Malik and some inspired bowling from Shahid Afridi proved to be the key to Pakistan’s first victory of the super eight stage, by 33 runs.

Randi Dilhara Fernando and Lasith Malinga rocked the Paksitan top-order, leaving them reeling at 33-3. Then it was a great fightback by captain Shoaib Malik (57 runs from 45 balls) and Younus Khan (57 runs from 36 balls) to take Pakistan to a competitive total of 189.

The Sri Lankan innings was a bundle of setbacks, losing wickets constantly - courtesy of superb new ball bowling and Shahid Afridi's fiery leg-breaks. Pakistan won the match by 33 runs.

Group D - India versus Pakistan – Match Tied (India wins bowl out 3-0)

Mohammad Asif tore into the Indian top order, leaving the latter in totters at 36/4 at one stage. Sturdy performances by Uthappa, Dhoni and a late order flourish ensured that India set a reasonable target of 142 for their arch rivals.

The electrifying evening had only one winner – the game itself. The returning Irfan Pathan bowled a splendid spell and kept his team in the game through out. Rapturous scenes at Kingsmead, Durban – India and Pakistan featured in only the second tie in Twenty20 history. The rule of the format says that ‘there must be a winner’!

Hence, there was a bowl-out to decide the same and it was India who emerged victorious with a 3-0 margin.

Group D
Pakistand defeat Scotland by 51 runs.
The Asian giants survived a Scottish scare while defending a target of 172, but eventually won the match by a margin of 51 runs. Shahid Afridi ended with figures of 4/19 and Umar Gul with 4/25.

After an initial wobble, Younus Khan resurrected the Pakistan innings with a well compiled 41. Scotland started the chase of 172 confidently but were pegged back after the introduction of Pakistani spinners.

After a substandard World Cup 2007 campaign, the defining moment has arrived for Pakistan cricket. Without senior players like Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Akhtar, Abdul Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood, a youthful faction has played the brand of cricket that the Asian giants are celebrated for.

They have in their scheme of things – the fiery fast-bowling from Mohamamd Asif, Sohail Tanvir and Umar Gul, dependable middle-order batsmen and the star studded all-rounder Shahid Afridi. The Pakistan team is roaring more than ever and has a realistic chance of capturing the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 championship.

ICC World Twenty20: Won: 4, Lost: 0, Tied: 1 (Lost in bowl-out)

Super Eight - Group F - Paksitan defeat Bangladesh by 4 wickets
Debutant Zunaed Siddique scored a courageous half-century but was deprived of adequate support as Bangladesh were bundled out for just 140.

A spirited bowling performance led by Abdur Razzaq a put tremendous pressure on Pakistan, who did not have it easy while chasing a target of 141. The explosive Shahid Afridi opened the innings top-scored with 39.

Pakistan won the match by 4 wickets with one over to spare. With the victory, the Asian giants completed three consecutive victories in the Super Eight stage, romping into the semi-final stage with their confidence on an all-time high.

The Bangladeshi spinners pegged the Pakistani innings back after an initial blitz from Afridi and Hafeez. Imran Nazir, who was struck by Mashrafe Mortaza delivery, was retired hurt before he returned to bat to guide his team to victory.

Super Eight - Group F - Pakistan defeat Australia by 6 wickets
Two nights in a row the Pakistani side produced a staggering performance. They managed to restrict the Aussies to a modest total of 164 – young left-arm seamer Sohail Tanvir was the pick of the bowlers, ending with figures of 3/31 from his four overs.

Later, it was the turn of Misbah-ul-Haq and captain Shoaib Malik to guide their team to a colossal victory, especially after they were in totters at 46-4, with their top four batsmen back in the hut. The two batsmen scored unbeaten half-centuries to ensure Pakistan clinched a convincing 6-wicket victory.

With the victory, Pakistan almost confirmed a semi-final berth.

Super Eight - Group F - Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 33 runs
A 101-run partnership between Younus Khan and Shoaib Malik and some inspired bowling from Shahid Afridi proved to be the key to Pakistan’s first victory of the super eight stage, by 33 runs.

Randi Dilhara Fernando and Lasith Malinga rocked the Paksitan top-order, leaving them reeling at 33-3. Then it was a great fightback by captain Shoaib Malik (57 runs from 45 balls) and Younus Khan (57 runs from 36 balls) to take Pakistan to a competitive total of 189.

The Sri Lankan innings was a bundle of setbacks, losing wickets constantly - courtesy of superb new ball bowling and Shahid Afridi's fiery leg-breaks. Pakistan won the match by 33 runs.

Group D - India versus Pakistan – Match Tied (India wins bowl out 3-0)

Mohammad Asif tore into the Indian top order, leaving the latter in totters at 36/4 at one stage. Sturdy performances by Uthappa, Dhoni and a late order flourish ensured that India set a reasonable target of 142 for their arch rivals.

The electrifying evening had only one winner – the game itself. The returning Irfan Pathan bowled a splendid spell and kept his team in the game through out. Rapturous scenes at Kingsmead, Durban – India and Pakistan featured in only the second tie in Twenty20 history. The rule of the format says that ‘there must be a winner’!

Hence, there was a bowl-out to decide the same and it was India who emerged victorious with a 3-0 margin.

Group D
Pakistand defeat Scotland by 51 runs.
The Asian giants survived a Scottish scare while defending a target of 172, but eventually won the match by a margin of 51 runs. Shahid Afridi ended with figures of 4/19 and Umar Gul with 4/25.

After an initial wobble, Younus Khan resurrected the Pakistan innings with a well compiled 41. Scotland started the chase of 172 confidently but were pegged back after the introduction of Pakistani spinners.