Getting words out of Shoaib Malik's mouth is more difficult than drawing water from a stone. The Pakistan captain is more at home on the field of play than behind numerous microphones, as was obvious during Sunday's pre-match press conference ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup final against India.

"The most important thing for us is our combination," Malik began. "It is going very well at the moment. All the players are giving hundred percent. India are no doubt a very good side, it will be good fun tomorrow. Their new-ball bowlers are bowling tremendously and their batting line-up is in good form. I expect a good match"

Malik was asked for his take on Yuvraj Singh's batsmanship. "He is playing superbly right now, I have never seen him bat like this. He is in very good form, and we will decide where to bowl him. We must trap him, work out plans for him."

Special moment
Asked what this win would mean to the team and to Pakistan should Pakistan win on the morrow, especially given the World Cup debacle earlier this year, Malik replied, "We are professionals. The World Cup is history, we are only thinking of tomorrow's game.

"This is the Holy month of Ramzan, after which there is Eid. If we can win the World Cup, it will be a very good gift for the people of Pakistan."

This will be Malik's second match against India as Pakistan captain. "At the end of the day, this is just a game and the fans must enjoy it," he observed. "When the fans get tense, so do we as players. Indo-Pak cricket matches are always very exciting, there is always pressure in such matches. It is up to the seniors to motivate the juniors, to make them play with passion. In such matches, passion is also important, this not just about skills."

Welcoming the presence of youth in abundance in both ranks, he went on, "I feel that in Twenty20 cricket, you need youngsters. You don't see teams winning by 50 or 100 runs in this format, it all boils down to 15 or 20 runs. Youngsters will throw themselves around, put their limbs on the line. They will also keep talking and encouraging the bowlers."