Being underdogs shields us from pressure: Younis

Nottingham:

Slow starters and a team that depends on individual brilliance more than other sides, Pakistan enjoyed the relative lack of pressure by being underdogs in the World Twenty20, said captain Younis Khan on Thursday.

Pakistan were not a consistent side in the tournament winning three matches and losing two in the lead-up to their semifinal victory over South Africa, and Younis said his side did not face the pressure of a tournament favourite.

"We are slow starters in every tournament. Moreover, we did not have the pressure of a tournament favourite. I think being an underdog had helped as we did not have the pressure.

The win is good for Pakistan cricket," Younis said after his side's seven-run victory over South Africa.

Younis was all praise for his senior all-rounder Shahid Afridi who hit a 51 and took two wickets to fashion their stunning victory.

"Afridi has always been a match-winner. I knew he can do it so I sent him at number three while batting. Credit for the win goes to him and to the team also," he said.

Younis felt his side was at least 15 runs short while batting but the bowling compensated for it.

"We were 15-20 runs short. I thought we would get 170 but they (South Africa) bowled really well at the death overs," he said.