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In the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007, Pakistan suffered a heartbreak as they lost narrowly to arch-rivals India in the final. But having faltered at the last step, they did one better to win the second edition in 2009 in England.
Like 2007, the 2009 edition featured 12 teams – nine Test-playing nations and three associate countries, who qualified after going through a qualification tournament.
By reaching the final of the qualifying tournament Ireland and the Netherlands qualified for the tournament outright, while Scotland defeated Kenya in a play-off to clinch the third spot.
The 12 teams were divided into four groups of three teams each, with the top two advancing to the Super Eights. Defending champions India were knocked out in the Super Eight stage, easing the path of Pakistan, who were not convincing initially either. Younis Khan's boys began with a defeat to hosts England.
But they then beat the Netherlands on way to a three-match winning run to progress to the semi-finals. In the Super Eights stage, Pakistan were clubbed with Ireland, New Zealand and Sri Lanka while India, England, South Africa and West Indies put together in the first group.
India lost all the three matches in their group to crash out while Pakistan lost to Sri Lanka but defeated New Zealand and Ireland to set up a date with South Africa in the semi-finals.
Mercurial all-rounder Shahid Afridi's 51 off 34 balls and 2/16 helped them beat the Proteas by seven runs at Trent Bridge in Nottingham to enter the final for the second successive time.
Pakistan were asked to bowl first, and their bowlers produced a disciplined performance to restrict Sri Lanka to 138/6.
Abdul Razzaq struck with the new ball and Sri Lanka never recovered from the early setback despite skipper Kumar Sangakkara's battling and all-rounder Angelo Mathews' 35-run cameo towards the end that lifted them from 70/6 to 138/6.
In their chase, Kamran Akmal and Shahzaib Hasan produced a 48-run opening stand in seven overs after which Shahid Afridi took over and guided them towards the finish line with a 54-run knock, receiving support from Shoaib Malik (24), winning by eight wickets, with eight balls still to be played.
Kamran Akmal finished as the team's top scorer (188 runs) while Umar Gul was the star of their bowling attack with wickets.
