India grateful for Twenty20 atonement
Imran Nazir of Pakistan fought hard but his efforts were in vain
Monday, 24, Sep 2007 10:27
Indian captain Mahendra Dhoni says his side's victory in the World Twenty20 has restored his side's reputation after their World Cup failings earlier this year.
India failed to reach the Super Eights stage of the ICC World Cup this spring but emerged from the first ever international Twenty20 tournament as winners after beating Pakistan by five runs today.
Dhoni, who made just six runs from his innings in the final, said the win would "do the repair work" for the side's World Cup exit.
"This is something I will treasure for the rest of my life," the BBC quoted him as saying.
"We're a young side, no-one expected us to win, and I think we deserve a big celebration… I think Twenty20 will be a big hit in India."
Defeated captain Shoaib Malik said: "I want to thank everyone back in Pakistan and around the world - sorry we didn't win but we did give 100 per cent.
"We bowled superbly, but we played a few bad shots," the BBC quoted him as saying.
India's Irfan Pathan took the player of the match award for his 3-16 while Pakistan's Shahid Afridi took the player of the series award.