The victory helped the team regain its international cricket stature after years in a slump. Pakistan faces growing political instability brought on brought on by the Taliban insurgency and severe economic problems.
The all-rounder Afridi, who had been out of form in recent months, has been the main architect of his team's comeback in the tournament, culminating in his being chosen as Man of the Match in the final.
The team lost only two wickets with eight balls to spare to go past Sri Lanka's total of 138 for six wickets in 20 overs, with Afridi remaining not out with 54 from 40 balls.
As people celebrated the victory in Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari, in his congratulatory message, announced a cash award of 1 million rupees, or about $12,300, each to Afridi and team captain Younus Khan, Dawn newspaper reported.
A presidential spokesman said the money would come out of the president's discretionary fund.
Sri Lanka had reached the final after winning all its matches. But its contest against Pakistan looked shaky with early loss of wickets, until Kumar Sangakkara's 64 helped steady the situation. Pakistan's comeback to the final was remarkable as it had lost two of its matches in the early stages.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
T20 World cup
salam and congratulations to all the nation of pakistan on winning the T20 cricket world cup in a marvellous and superb way.
especially afridi who has become the beat of evry heart after coming back to his natural style and form,did a great job. his performance in semi-final & final has been mind blowing.
i wish to meet him face to face.it's all the team effort especially the captaincy of younas khan has been brilliant.
i pray for my pakistani team, may God get them strengthened and thay achieve victory like this always for their country.
may God bless them
toori
boom boom Afridi
Shahid Afidi played a superb innings in both semi-final and final match against S.A and Sri. He is key man who take an lead role to won the t20 world cup trophy in 2009, with his alround performance.
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