The longest day of the English summer is also the biggest one for Pakistan cricket. When Younus Khan leads his men out at Lord’s today, he will follow in the footsteps of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Shoaib Malik in captaining Pakistan in a World Cup final.

One victory out of three is a record that requires improvement, and Younus Khan’s International Globetrotters have an ideal opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Imran’s Tigers by lifting a World Cup trophy.

A decade ago, almost to the day, Pakistan faced Australia at this very venue in the 1999 World Cup final. It was a day of high expectation — it ended in utter disappointment. Wasim’s team were thrilling in the tournament but depressing in the final.

Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq will have painful memories of that day. Pakistan were well placed until Razzaq holed out at long off. Afridi made no impression at all.

Today, they are the senior all-rounders in the Pakistan team, capable of playing a decisive part in bringing home the trophy. Afridi has been Pakistan’s lightning rod in this competition — he even stands motionless, arm raised to the heavens, in celebration of each wicket.

As Thursday’s semi-final proved, an Afridi cameo still wins matches. He looks fit, in form, and focused. Afridi’s batting has also been consistent for three consecutive innings since Younus encouraged him to moderate his animal instincts.

It has needed to be. Pakistan’s batsmen have underachieved in almost every game. Kamran Akmal has shown flashes of brilliance and Younus Khan has been solid, occasionally ingenious. But Shoaib Malik and Misbah-ul Haq, two of Pakistan’s most experienced batsmen, have been below par. 

While this is a worry, it is also an opportunity. There has to be one big performance in this batting line up. The signs were encouraging against South Africa until Dale Steyn and Wayne Parnell produced a stunning final four overs.

Lord’s would be an ideal venue for a batting flourish, and Misbah in particular owes Pakistan supporters something special. Pakistan’s batsmen — especially Misbah and Younus — are well equipped to handle the spin threat of Sri Lanka. Lasith Malinga is their only genuine danger man with pace.
 
This is where Pakistan can exploit an advantage. Sri Lanka boast three outstanding bowlers, the three ‘Ms’ - Muralitharan, Mendis, and Malinga. Pakistan possess four showstoppers - Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Mohamad Aamir, and Umar Gul.

In a tournament that has allowed bowlers to excel and make the difference, Pakistan might just have enough to outclass Sri Lanka.

Indeed, their Super Eights match at Lord’s was remarkable for the way Pakistan’s bowlers restricted Sri Lanka’s free scoring batsmen. It was a game Pakistan should and would have won had their batsmen not lost their heads when Malinga was introduced.

Today, Younus should win the toss and bat. The Lord’s pitch won’t be fresh as it will have been used for the women’s final, and Pakistan’s best strategy will be to rattle up a total of above 150 to apply pressure on Sri Lanka’s batsmen. 

In thirty-five years of following Pakistan cricket, I have never been more surprised that a Pakistan team has reached the final of a major tournament. It just goes to show how expectations have changed. This is another advantage for Pakistan, who play the match knowing that any further success will be a bonus. 

But there is no hint that Younus Khan’s team will take this final lightly. The captain has managed to coax the best out of his talisman, Afridi. He has shown faith in Malik. He has welcomed back Razzaq.

He commands, he encourages, and he has also begun to show his displeasure with sloppy work. So too have his senior players. They want to win, for the embattled people of Pakistan and their passionate hordes of fans around the world. They want to entertain but they are serious about victory. 

Lord’s has always been cricket’s field of dreams. Today, Pakistan’s players have a rare chance to play with passion, without fear, and for the pride of hundreds of millions of supporters.

That’s all we can ask. After the desolation of the last two years, a World Cup win has been such an impossible dream that it is hard to believe that it is so close to coming true.

Every Pakistan supporter, and many millions of neutrals around the world, will be hoping that ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ is the anthem that rocks Lord’s today.