Korea Cricket Association Final

Photo © ICC

The final of the Korea Cricket Association competition was played on Sunday July 13, with Pakistan playing Sri Lanka to determine the overall champion.

It was a beautiful sunny day - worthy of a final - and the players & fans for that matter, put on a show that can only be described as magical.

Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat.

A good solid start from the opening pair - surviving some very strong appeals - but finally the break through came - thanks to a great diving catch from the Pakistan wicker keeper.

The Sri Lankans hit some huge sixes - only an act of good stopped windows being broken.

The Pakistan Captain - decided to bowl himself - taking enormous responsibility - with his un orthodox style the risks were high - but the decision proved to be a wise one - in his second over his delivery crashed into the wickets of the batsman. His next ball had the batsman caught directly in front - LBW.

The Captain was on a hatrick - the Sri Lankan batsman walked slowly to the crease - the fieldsmen moved in a touch closer - Nasir delivered a killer ball - and hit the batman on the pad - but alas it was judged to be going down the leg side - Nasir finished with 4 wickets.

Sri Lanka scored 153 runs.

The Sri Lankans greatest asset on the day was their Fan Club - with the musical tone of their support, players and spectators were taken to a far off place - I completely forgot we were in Korea - drums were beating songs were sung - and the Pakistan batsman had more to deal with than the blistering pace of Nimble the Quick (The faster bowler in the competition) - cries of "get him, get him, get him - he not a batsman" could be heard round the ground - The Pakistan fans, not to be out done begun their own version of song - as an objective bystander I have to give points to the Sri Lankan Fans - their songs with drums beating may one day capture the attention of a record producer.

Back to Cricket - Well Pakistan suffered an early loss - which brought their no. 3 strike batsman to the crease - he to felt the hardness of the ball as it hit his arm, next delivery his chest and then his leg - a runner was called for. - some magic batting took place before he hit a return catch to Nimble the quick - at that stage the game was in the balance.

This brought big Ronnie to the crease - first ball - french cut - how it missed the wicket is a question that god only knows. With 51 runs from 36 deliveries Ronnie played his part - hitting sixes and fours - well supported by the remaining opener Zasir. Ronnie was given out late in the game LBW - to one that kept low. The game went to the last over, but the Fate of the Sri Lankans was sealed - on the first ball of the last over Zasir dispatched an on-drive to the fence bringing up the required runs to take victory.

Well Done Pakistan - Full Credit to Sri Lanka who showed great sportsmanship

Man of the Match - Zasir with 67 runs.