Younis upbeat about Champions Trophy success

Pakistan captain Younis Khan said the team is capable of winning the Champions Trophy in South Africa but the players will have to play out of their skin to lift the coveted trophy.

Younis said if all the players do their part and contribute as a team, chances are bright for the side to lift the title.

"The sort of team we are at the moment, I don't see any reason why we can't repeat our Twenty20 World Cup success in the Champions Trophy," he told reporters at the conclusion of the week-long conditioning camp in Lahore on Sunday.

"But we have to give our best in all the matches, no matter whom we play -- whether it is West Indies or India," he said.

The middle-order batsman said the Champions Trophy is a real test for all the eight participating teams and the competition would be tough.

"All the teams are equally balanced so I don't like to make any predictions, but in such a tight competition one bad day is enough to put a team out of the tournament. So we will have to play out of our skins in every match," the skipper said.

The players underwent an intensive fitness regime during the camp and the board had even invited the foreign coach of the national football team George Kotten to lend useful tips to the players on how to improve their fitness.

Younis said the camp proved beneficial in their preparations for the big tournament. "The sessions with the psychologist were very useful as it allows the players to realise their real potential and then try to play likewise."

The players after a week-long break will attend another conditioning camp here from September 12 in which former captain and batting consultant Javed Miandad will work with them to hone their batting skills.