Sessions with psychologist helped - Malik

	Shoaib Malik: "We had the momentum with us and with Afridi finding his batting form, it was almost like we were destined to win" © AFP Enlarge
Related Links Players/Officials: Shoaib Malik Teams: Pakistan

Shoaib Malik, the former Pakistan captain, has praised his successor Younis Khan's leadership skills. He said Younis' leadership as well as sessions with a sports psychologist helped Pakistan win the World Twenty20.

"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 Twenty20 champions," PTI quoted Malik as saying. "It helped us a lot to play to our true potential."

Malik said losing to India in the 2007 World Twenty20 final, when he was captain, was bitterly disappointing but he felt elated now. "I think our victory over South Africa in the semi-final showed that we could beat anyone on our day.

"We had the momentum with us and with [Shahid] Afridi finding his batting form, it was almost like we were destined 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 it now."

Pakistan's next assignment is a tour of Sri Lanka which includes three Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20s between July 4 and August 12.