Sri Lanka, Pakistan emerge from Lahore horror

By John Mehaffey

LONDON (Reuters) - Sri Lanka and Pakistan have emerged triumphant from the horror of Lahore last March when gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team bus to stake a place in Sunday's Twenty20 World Cup final at Lord's at 3 p.m. British time.

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, one of six players wounded in the attack, told reporters on Friday after his team's semi-final win over West Indies the assault had reminded his team of their own mortality.

"I think it is a fitting reward for the courage of the team in the way they have played in this tournament, all the players have got through," he said."

His Pakistan counterpart Younus Khan, whose team did not play a single test last year because of the uncertainty at home, sounded a similar note after beating South Africa on Thursday.

"We are suffering from everything in Pakistan and everyone knows about all the fighting, a lot of fighting. If we can lift the Cup, it will provide great cheer for the people," Younus said.

POTENT TRIO

The teams took strikingly different paths to Sunday's final.

Sri Lanka have set the pace throughout with both bat and ball and have not lost a match.