Standing up to the best isn't easy - that is the spirit with which Pakistan battled nations from around the world to be crowned champions at the ICC Twenty20 World Cup.

The odds were against them. Unlike other teams - India, Australia, West Indies and many others - who participated in the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches, Pakistan stayed at home. While the world practiced Twenty20 in IPL, our players sat sidelined on the benches.

Pakistan's cricketing graph has been declining. But yet our boys came together and showed the world the fighting spirit that is a true reflection of the nation. From Shahid 'Boom Boom' Afridi's match winning wickets and sixers to Umar Gul's reverse swing of the ball, Kamran Akmal's catches and stumps, Younis Khan's aggressive captaincy and Saeed Ajmal and the 17-year-old Mohammed Aamir's bowling - Pakistan played as a team and as one.

Congratulations guys! You've made us so proud.  Instep salutes the players of the Pakistani cricket team. There could have been no other hotstepper this week.
Pakistan Zindabad!