22 June,2009 08:11 AM IST | | A Correspondent
Victorious Pak captain Younis Khan delighted to bow out of T20s in styleu00a0
Younis Khan never ceases to do the unexpected, especially at world events. Yesterday, his quirky nature came to fore when he announced his retirement from the Twenty20 format, minutes after lifting the ICC World Twenty20 by beating Sri Lanka.
"This is my last Twenty20 game. I'm old now for this kind of cricket," Younis said on his way out of the media conference.
During the warm-up stage of the tournament, Younis had raised eyebrows when he said Twenty20 internationals should be treated more as recreation rather than be takenu00a0 seriously. Though he tried to make amends yesterday, he ended up repeating the same.
Looking ahead
"I still believe that this is good entertainment and we must do something about this cricket. If you continue promoting Twenty20 cricket, then there will be no Test cricket and one-dayers in future," Younis said.
Doubtless, he was happy to bid international T20 cricket farewell.
"I am delighted with what we achieved today. I am also honoured because another Khan has achieved a World title for Pakistan cricket after Imran Khan's 1992 World Cup triumph."
Two years ago, Pakistan failed to keep their wits, losing to India in a close final in South Africa.
Two years on, Pakistan were the only team to reach the last four for the second time and proved they were a force to reckon with despite their history of unpredictability.
Pakistan have been in strife due to numerous terrorist strikes across the country in the last year especially.
Cricket, which had been immune to the terrorism, finally fell victim when terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan
team bus in Lahore last March.
After Pakistan's triumph against Sri Lanka at Lord's yesterday, Younis took the opportunity to urge the cricketing world to visit his country.
"How can we promote cricket to our youngsters if there are no international games in Pakistan? How can I motivate my son and my neighbours' children? That's why we need cricket in Pakistan. Law and order is not good, but that's not our fault. We are suffering at the moment from these kinds of things. I think sports should not be mixed with politics."
For you, Bob
Younis also took a moment to dedicate the win to the late Bob Woolmer, Pakistan's coach who died during the 2007 ODI World Cup in the Caribbean. "This final must go to Bob Woolmer. He was doing good things with us and especially my cricket.
"I would be very proud if he was alive and sitting with me because he was a very nice guy and a father figure to us," an emotional Younis said.
