Pakistan's campaign in this 2009 world Twenty20 tournament had echoes from the World Cup of 1992 rather than 1999, which is to say there was more a sense of destiny about it than a sense of foreboding. This may sound like a statement made with hindsight convenience, but in fact even before the start of the competition, astute observers pointed out that you needed only five victories to bag the title and in Pakistan's case, only four of these had to be against authentic Test nations.

In the event, Pakistan had a luckier ride than most, entering the semifinals with only three wins, two of which were against associate nations and the third against New Zealand which although an authentic Test side, has traditionally been one of the weaker teams.

This welcome bit of good fortune masks the true scope of what Pakistan was really up against. The turbulence of the last three years had left the team disunited and demoralised, and the fans bitter and hurt. After the terror attacks of last march in Lahore, it appeared that Pakistan's cricket isolation would be complete. The forces of world cricket had become hostile to Pakistan and the future was all doom and gloom.

This Twenty20 World Cup in England presented an opportunity to push back against the threat of isolation and marginalisation. The responsibility for this task rested squarely on the shoulders of Younis Khan, a reluctant captain, but also — from whatever we had seen of his leadership — a courageous and capable one.

Pakistan's start to the tournament was predictably chaotic. Bookmakers rated its chances near the bottom, just a shade above the associate nations and Bangladesh. The inevitable pre-tournament hype surrounding the likes of India and Australia unsettled and undercut team morale.

A warm-up match against India produced a crushing defeat and then the tournament opener, a sold-out clash against hosts England, resulted in a humiliating rout.

From these tattered pieces, Younis Khan stitched together Pakistan's ascend to the championship. Stepping forward to absorb all stress and responsibility, he freed his team from the anxiety of competition by telling them T20 was just fun cricket. “Close your eyes, relax, enjoy yourself,” was the message. This left the press and public bemused, but in fact it was a masterstroke because it brought out the best in Younis's players.

Liberated from expectations, the team soon discovered its rhythm. Bowlers like Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal suffocated the scoring at crucial moments. Mohammad Amir, a novice left-arm seamer getting his first taste of crowds, got critical early wickets. At the top of the order, Kamran Akmal invariably ensured a steady and efficient start.

In the middle order, Shoaib Malik often stabilised one end during the accelerating overs. And Shahid Afridi, man of the match in the semifinal and final, rediscovered his genius to emerge as the ace of spades in Pakistan's increasing powerful hand.

Yet the credit for Pakistan's transformative success must ultimately go to Younis Khan. Pakistan has always had riches of talent, but to pull it all together in the current climate of hostility and controversy is a staggering achievement.

If a captain can have an international coronation, this tournament has been Younis Khan's. When he held the trophy aloft, it was a far cry from his days of struggle as a budding cricketer at Malir Gymkhana. The boy who was unfailingly motivated, who never missed a club fixture even in times of street riots and ethnic strife, who remained undeterred even after suffering injustice at the hands of Karachi's cricket authorities, was now captain of Pakistan and he had just led his team to a world cricket title.

What a moment for Younis Khan, what a moment for Pakistan.