Younis Khan might be collecting all the accolades for leading a beleaguered Pakistan to its first Twenty20 World Cup triumph at Lord`s, but former skipper Aamer Sohail has downplayed the right-hander`s role in the victory and said a captain is only as good as his players.

Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka convincingly by eight wickets last night to lift the Twenty20 World Cup, the nation`s first major title after the 50-overs World Cup victory in 1992 under Imran Khan`s captaincy.

Soon after the win, Younis came in for special praise from all quarters for inspiring Pakistan to the title after a shoddy start to their campaign in the biennial event.

While speaking on a television channel, Sohail, who is also the Director of game development in Pakistan Cricket Board, surprised everyone by not giving credit to Younis for the victory.

"I think a captain is only successful when his team performs for him. A captain is good when he has good players in the team. I don`t think a good captain can lift the performance of the Netherlands side because they don`t have top players," Sohail said.

Sohail`s remark on Younis had left former skippers Rashid Latif and Moin Khan and a ex-chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed fuming and thereafter the trio made it a point to praise Younis` captaincy on every possible opportunity.

Moin pointed out that not everyone player has the ability to emerge as a good captain.

"A good captain is that person who can extract the best out of his players and command their respect. I think Younis has done that admirably in this World Cup or else everyone could become a captain," he noted.

Latif also wasted no time in praising Younis and his captaincy.

"A captain`s role in cricket is very important. He is the one who is responsible for victory and defeat and Younis has led this side well and gelled them into a united outfit," he said.

Salahuddin, who is also a former Test player, pointed out that when Abdul Hafeez Kardar was the skipper, he only had a few match winners in the team and still he managed to extract numerous match winning performances from fast bowler Fazal Mahmood.

"But when Fazal became captain himself he could not deliver the same performances that Kardar evoked out of him with his brilliant captaincy," he noted.