WHOEVER wins today’s World Twenty20 final, there is every reason for the outcome to be celebrated across the cricketing world. Just over three months ago, the Sri Lankan team were attacked by gunmen while travelling to the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore where they were playing a Test match against Pakistan. Eight of the group were injured, including five due to play today, and six policemen and a bus driver were killed.

If the Sri Lanka team were the targets of what was believed to have been a kidnap attempt, it is Pakistan cricket that has since paid the price. They have been removed as co-hosts of the 2011 ICC World Cup and the fall-out is still being felt; talks at Lord’s yesterday broke down on where their matches should be staged and what share of revenue Pakistan should receive.

Should they win, Pakistan would put themselves back firmly near the centre of the cricketing map and their team, and their players, will be much in demand. The Pakistan government barred its players from taking part in the Indian Premier League on security grounds — the IPL began shortly after the Lahore attack — but come the next IPL season these players could be on show on handsome wages.

Younis Khan, the Pakistan captain, was well aware of what was at stake. “If we win it will be great for our future and the Pakistan nation. We have suffered a lot. I come from the north of Pakistan where things have been particularly bad. People back home are very happy that we have reached the final and if we win they will be even happier.

“It is a dream for us to get to the final and a big achievement for me. I watched the 1992 World Cup win and my dream was to do something similar.” Younis — who intends to dedicate victory, should it come, to Bob Woolmer, the former Pakistan coach who died two years ago — said that he and his players would have no problem about playing ‘home’ Test matches in England, one option that is being explored.

“This is a fantastic place to play. There are a lot of Asians here and the locals love our style of cricket. If we play here against India or Australia it would feel like a home crowd.

“Both teams, both our nations, are very sad about what happened. I’m very close to Murali, Sangakkara and Jayawardene and we have a lot of memories. They are fantastic guys.” Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Ajantha Mendis were all caught up in the attack, Mendis suffering headaches for weeks afterwards. Paul Farbrace, Sri Lanka’s English-born assistant coach who was also there, will be another on duty today.

There will be added poignancy to today’s proceedings as the match will be refereed by Chris Broad, who was riding in the bus of the murdered driver in Lahore. Security will be especially high today as it has been for the matches involving both sides throughout the tournament due to the sensitive political climate in both countries. It is the first time these teams have met in the final of a global one-day tournament.

Younis was eager to label his opponents as favourites. “We are the underdogs, so there is no pressure for us. After the two warm-up matches no-one gave us a chance and that is why we are now in the final. If we play as we did in the last couple of games we will win.”