David Leggat: Lots to like in brash teenage Twenty20

So what was not to like about the world Twenty20 championship?

You may seriously question what benefits the Indian Premier League brings besides fattening players' wallets, or the number of competitions in cricket's shortest form which may soon be sprouting round the globe.

To some, the format will never appeal. But here were 16 days and 27 games between nations which produced some epic contests - in nature, if not duration - and an emotional winner in Pakistan, who once again showed that when the mood is upon them they can match the best teams in the game.

Only the churlish would deny Pakistan their triumph. Their country has been scarred by events beyond cricket's control; at Lord's yesterday, they brought cheer to their people.

When Twenty20 cricket began, it was assumed the bowlers would permanently be on the wrong end of clobberings. But they, more than batsmen, have proved the innovators.

The top five bowlers in the tournament were all playing in the final - Umar Gul (13 wickets), Saeed Ajmal (12) and player of the final Shahid Afridi (11) for Pakistan; Lasith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis (12 each) for Sri Lanka.

What made the tournament special? For a start playing for your country rather than a cement company or movie production group helps.

Then there's the nature of Twenty20, which means the likelihood of upsets is greater. The shorter the game the less opportunity for the gaps in teams' ability to show up.

The Netherlands gave the tournament the perfect start by tipping over England at Lord's, on the final ball. From then on, far more matches were entertaining contests than not; many had thrilling denouements.

There were also 166 deliveries dispatched into the crowds, an average of six a game.

The last pair came from Afridi, nicknamed "Boom Boom", so erratic yet an undoubted match winner. English commentator David "Bumble" Lloyd kept saying of Afridi yesterday: "Big game, big player". Or, for variety, "Big player, big game".

That said, former England opener Lloyd had a good fortnight too. He was among a group of former players who, either deliberately or by accident, didn't plumb the depths of the spruikers of the IPL.

What did we like? Well, quite a bit.

For starters the inventive strokeplay, especially from Sri Lankan opener Tillekaratne Dilshan, easily the tournament's top scorer with 317 runs. You won't find them all in the coaching manual, but it's the outcome, not how you get there, which counts, right?

Dilshan's speciality was the over-the-head ramp shot, which his teammates dubbed the starfish, because you'd have to be brainless to attempt it.

Then there were Mendis and Ajmal, young, clever spinners who could make batsmen look clueless. Smart bowlers prospered by learning how to stay a trick ahead; not to forget the bolder batsmen with the confidence to back themselves.

When Shoaib Malik arrived at the crease yesterday, with 76 needed in 65 balls and eight wickets standing - victory beckoning if they played smart - he said to the flamboyant Afridi: "Please stay at the wicket."

Nice line, brilliant result. Pakistan's captain Younis Khan , a strong leader, stepped down from the Twenty20 captaincy after the final, which he described as "a gift to my nation".

He pleaded for teams to come to Pakistan again. But goodwill towards his country will only extend so far.

The Twenty20 championship will happen again in the West Indies next year. Before then, there's the Champions Trophy in South Africa in September. That's 50-over cricket, which used to be the livewire teenager to the conservative parents, AKA tests. Not any more.

The players still swear by the 50-over version. Is there room for all three? Yes, but it's a squeeze. The evidence of the past fortnight suggests the middle ground is on shaky ground.