Karachi, June 24: Former captain Shoaib Malik credited Pakistan`s Twenty20 World Cup triumph to his successor Younis Khan`s leadership skills and a short stint of the players with a sports psychologist.
"Younis led the side well and he showed he is a good captain. He got the players together and took us into confidence all the time," Malik, who returned home today after the historic win, said.
Younis took over as captain in February after Pakistan under Malik lost a home one-day series to Sri Lanka.
"I think those sessions helped as the doctor used the power of hypnotism to drill it into our minds that we were going to England to become the World T20 champions," he said.
"It helped us a lot play to our true potential."
He said the Twenty20 World Cup win had helped erase the memories of the defeat in the final to India in the inaugural edition.
"I was bitterly disappointed as captain and player when we lost that final (in 2007) but now I feel elated we did finally manage to win this title."
Malik said Pakistan deserved to win the World Cup as they had some very good Twenty20 players.
"I think our victory over South Africa in the semi-final showed that we could beat anyone on our day. We had got the momentum going and with Afridi finding his batting form, it was almost like it was pre ordained to win."
"I am happy just like the rest of the nation over this victory. It is a big honour for our country and we needed this victory at this time," he said.
