India v Pakistan, ICC World Twenty20 final, Johannesburg
This is a final not many would have imagined, yet it's one nobody can grudge. A trans-Tasman final was a possibility before the semi-finals, but it is difficult to dispute that the tournament has now got the best possible climax: the sub-continental rivalry has the right combination of history, piquancy and edge to add up to a thriller. Let's just hope it doesn't go the way of the World Cup final.
Having conquered much fancied rivals, resurgent India and Pakistan will clash on Monday in a high voltage duel for the title of the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup with not much to lose between the two youthful sides without their ageing stalwarts.
History will say India have the advantage. They have a 6-1 record against Pakistan in world championships including one bowl-out earlier in this tournament. But history counts for little in the middle, and there is little to choose between the teams, and it might just boil down to who can hold their nerve best.
On the way to the final, both teams have inflicted humiliating defeats on ODI and Test champions Australia and roared past other favorites like hosts South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Their successes have surprised the pundits but thrilled the sub-continent's cricket-hungry masses still recovering from the inglorious exit of their teams from the ODI World Cup in the West Indies only six months ago.
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