The T20 Canada Cup in 2008-09 was contested by 4 countries – Canada, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Pakistan – from 10th to 13th October 2008. The final of the 2008/09 T20 Canada Cup was played between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on 13th October 2008 at the Maple Leaf North-West Ground, King City, Canada which was a neutral venue for both teams. This was a 20 over a side match in which Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to field first. The umpires for this match were MR Benson and K Bayney from England, while the match referee was JJ Crowe from New Zealand.
Pakistan innings
The Pakistan opener, Shoiab Khan jnr. was caught and bowled by Dilhara Fernando for a duck when the team’s score was just 9. He was followed by Shahid Afridi who was caught by Jehan Mubarak off the bowling of Thilan Thushara for 14. Younis Khan disappointed his fans as he was run out for no score. In the thirteenth over, Shoiab Malik walked back to the pavilion. He scored 19 runs in 19 deliveries. When the score was 99, Salman Butt was caught by Thilan Thushara off the bowling of Ajantha Mendis when he had scored 44 runs in 41 deliveries. He was the top scorer for Pakistan. At the end of 20 overs, Pakistan scored 132 runs for 7 wickets.
Sri Lanka innings
Sri Lanka lost its first wicket in the 7th over, when the score was 66, in the form of Mahela Udawatte who was caught by Shoiab Akhtar off the bowling of Shahid Afridi for 25. During the 10th over, Sanath Jayasuriya was bowled by Shoiab Malik when the team’s score was 74. Sanath Jayasuriya who was the top-scorer for Sri Lanka scored 40 runs in 34 deliveries inclusive of 3 boundaries and 2 sixers. Further, Mahela Jayawardene and Jehan Mubarak were out cheaply for 5 and 8 respectively. In the 17th over, Kaushalya Weeraratne was bowled by Umar Gul for 12 when the team’s score was 115. Chamara Kapugedera remained unbeaten on 17 and Tillakaratne Dilshan scored 7 not out.
Sri Lanka won this final by 5 wickets with 6 deliveries to spare. Sanath Jayasuriya was declared as Player of the Match.