Pakistan got the better of Sri Lanka at Lord's on Sunday to be crowned the new ICC World Twenty20 Champions.

All-rounder Shahid Afridi hit an unbeaten 54 as he orchestrated a perfect Pakistani chase of their 139-run target.

Victory was sealed with eight balls to spare when Afridi scrambled a leg-bye.

Within seconds the entire squad and backroom staff knelt and kissed the hallowed turf in communal celebration.

It's all about numbers

These teams were drawn together by the horrific terrorist attack in Lahore this year, which left Sri Lankan players traumatised and wounded and Pakistan without home international fixtures for the foreseeable future.

Join us here as well

In the build-up to this all-Asia showpiece, Pakistan captain Younis Khan had voiced his desire to win the tournament as a reminder to the international cricketing community of his side's existence and for his fellow countrymen, who are suffering because of the effects of terrorism in the north-west of his homeland.

Sri Lanka triumphed in the previous meeting between the sides in the tournament, also at Lord's, but just as in the Super Eights contest, the Pakistanis were unperturbed by the Sri Lankan spinners.

Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan were taken for 54 runs in their combined seven overs for the price of opener Shahzaib Hasan.

Crucially, it was Afridi's calculated attack on Murali, on his return to the attack for the 14th over, which proved pivotal.

Click here for cricket alerts

Afridi sized up the first delivery of Murali's return and planted the ball into the Tavern Stand at deep midwicket.

The next one was flashed hard through extra-cover for four and by the end of the over Pakistan's asking rate was down to seven runs per over with just two wickets down. Nerves were settled.

Former captain Shoaib Malik scampered between the wickets to maintain a manageable rate and the result was effectively rubber-stamped when Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara gambled for the 18th over.

With 26 required by Pakistan, he opted to throw the ball to left-arm seamer Isuru Udana, and left Murali and Lasith Malinga in reserve.

Only seven runs had come from the first four but Afridi seized his chance to free the arms at the penultimate delivery, and launched another monstrous hit into the crowd at deep mid-wicket.

Blow by Blow of the Final

When he flicked the next one - called a no-ball for being over waist height - past short fine-leg for another boundary, the celebrations among a Pakistani-dominated crowd began.

The early impetus of the pursuit was provided by Kamran Akmal, who cracked two sixes and two fours in 37 from 38 balls.

Samsung LED TV Cricket Widget

It took the introduction of veteran left-arm spinner Sanath Jayasuriya to quell the charge as he followed the batsman with his first delivery and earned a comfortable stumping.

Sri Lanka's 138 for six represented something of a fightback after Pakistan's strong response to being asked to field.

Watch the highlights of the SL-Pak Final

Of the top order, only captain Sangakkara, who struck an unbeaten 64, negotiated the Pakistani bowling attack with any conviction and the loss of four wickets in the powerplay limited their aspirations.

It was only thanks to Sangakkara's seventh-wicket partner Angelo Mathews, who once again highlighted his impact as a late-innings hitter with an impressive 35 not out, that they managed a challenging score.

Images from the Final

It was veteran Abdul Razzaq who did the early damage for Pakistan inside the opening few overs.

Razzaq, in as a replacement for the injured Yasir Arafat after a ban on Indian Cricket League players was lifted, claimed three wickets with the new ball.

SX4 Super Selector

Teenage fast bowler Mohammad Aamir began the tumble when he claimed the prize wicket of tournament top scorer Tillakaratne Dilshan with a successful short ball in the opening over.

Sangakkara plumped for the same tactics which have been integral to their success by opting to bat first.

SX4 Performer: Shahid Afridi

Unbeaten Sri Lanka defended totals superbly in the tournament, including a previous meeting with Pakistan, when they won by 19 runs at the same ground.

This time, however, a stand of 68 merely kept the contest in the balance.

Mathews rode his luck as he plundered all but one of the 17 runs off teenager Aamir's final over - a two and an edged four from the first two deliveries followed by a nonchalant loft off his pads for a towering six over deep square-leg from the third.

The ICC World Twenty20 2009 has been a story of spinners shining in the shorter format of the game. Write in to us with your thoughts at:fanspeak@espnstar.co.in 

Facebook comments:

Chhavi Banswal, who thought Sri Lanka looked stronger than Pakistan this evening, would be disappointed. Here is what she had to say on our discussion board on Facebook.

"Though I have always supported Pakistan, after India, but this time i guess Sri Lanka is looking a bit stronger. Lanka is more clinical and lethal.  True, there are no losers in this final. And, this is when my subcontinental patriotism comes out in full bloom!"

"This time Pakistan are going to crush Sri Lanka. Afridi, Saeed, Umar, Razzaq, Kamran and Younis are the match winners. Pakistan are going to lift the ICC World Twenty20 Championship," says Sla Shah.

Lunar Sea, meanwhile, has a more philosophical view, I feel that there are no losers in this final. After what the two nations have gone through in the recent past, it is a fitting tribute to their never-say-die spirit. I will be celebrating life and cricket and the beauty of bouncing back after a tragedy when watching the final. Let it be a great contest.

An enthusiastic Priyanki Brahma yells on Facebook "What's wrong with Sri Lanka? I thought they would win hands down. There's still time guys! Come on Lanka! The battle may be lost for a while but the war is still not over."

Meanwhile Sachin Ganguly makes no bones about his differences with Priyanki: "I would have loved to second you Priyanki, but the way Pakistan are going (great guns!) the going seems to be quite tough for the Lankans. Still, do not loose heart, not as yet.

Meanwhile, Parminder Singh does not sound too happy here, "Sri Lanka are even bigger chokers than South Africa!"

Priyanki Brahma is facing the heat here as Abu Shalay Shanto quips from London" Wow Pak! But i dont think so Brahma, because it's a little score to chase."

More from Parminder, "So Lanka have managed to score more runs than I thought. This Mathews chap can definitely bat. Now it's up to the 3 M's, sorry, 4 M's (Mathews will bowl also, don't forget that).

Manu Shankar: "Pakistan do have the resources and the talent to lift win the ICC World Twenty20 Championship. But everything will depend on how the Pakistani middle order faces Mendis, who I think is going to be more lethal than Murali. The team that plays spin better will win the Cup today." 

Chandreyi Basu gives Younus and his boys no chance, as she roars Pakistan gonna lose.......... no chance!!!

But hang on, Chandreyi, Korak Aich does not agree "No chance?!! Like Heavens have spoken to you! Pakistan has done enough to deserve a win this time."

It's Parminder again, "This match actually reminds me of the IPL final. It's that kind of total that confuses the opponents. Pakistan must be wondering whether to attack or to play it cautious. Kind of like the way Bangalore lost the final. Except it looks like Pakistan are going on the attack now." 

Manish Batavia: "This campaign for Pakistan is similar to the 1992 World Cup story. They started miserably and slowly peaked when it mattered the most. Pakistan are yet to get their hands on the trophy, but it's increasingly looking tougher for the islanders."

Meanwhile, a war wages here. Chandreyi Basu gives it back to Korak Aich: "Yes! Heaven has spoken to me......Mr. korak!!!!"

Looks as if Chandreyi can see the reasult now as she claims But yes Afridi's number 10 jersey might do wonders.

Korak is all pumped up: Yuhooo! Sorry girl, it seems hell rules after all.

Priyanki Brahma: I am disappointed but Pakistan do deserve an applause.

Parminder Singh sums it all: Definitely deserves all the applause. Who would have thought when the tournament began that they'd do it? It's fantastic, and I guess you are right Chandreyi, the big matches were all about Afridi's No. 10 jersey.