From the second India beat Australia in the second quarterfinal and ensured that they would face Pakistan in the semi-final at Mohali, the entire cricketing world was abuzz. Immediately the game gained a number of monikers – “the greatest match ever”, “the mother of all games”, “the final before the final”. There was intense discussion across social media as fans from both sides plotted on how to get tickets for the game and how to get to Mohali for the match. Face paint and body paint was prepared and war cries sounded out all over the internet.

Chasing a mammoth 192 in twenty overs on a slow pitch against world-class slower bowlers, few would have backed Australia to beat Pakistan in the second semi-final in St Lucia last night.

Pakistan are the reigning ICC World Twenty20 champions but they enter this year’s edition of the tournament as something of an unknown quantity.

    Their team has been rocked by internal politics after an unsuccessful tour of Australia while none of their players took any part in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

    However, the fact that they do not have any participants in the IPL means that Pakistan may have stolen a march on their opponents.

Standard Bank has had a long and successful relationship with South African cricket and we’re proud to announce that this relationship has just been extended to include the sponsorship of the 2009 International Cricket Council (ICC) Trophy, which takes place in South Africa from 22 September to 5 October.