Younus Khan has used Pakistan's ICC World T20 triumph to appeal to other cricketing nations to consider playing in his country.

Having restricted Sri Lanka's powerful line-up to a modest 138 for six with Abdul Razzaq claiming three for 20, Pakistan sealed their triumph after man-of-the-match Shahid Afridi hit an unbeaten 54 off 40 balls.

"I would like all the countries to come to Pakistan"

It was an impressive victory for a side who have been starved of cricket in Pakistan with international sides refusing to tour because of a succession of terrorist incidents, including an attack on Sri Lanka's team bus in Lahore just three months ago.

But Younus chose the moment of Pakistan's triumph to appeal to world cricket to reconsider their decision and encourage the next generation of cricketers in their country.

"Everybody is following Twenty20 cricket these days and now we are champions it would be good if we could get some home series," said Younus.

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"I would like all the countries to come to Pakistan again. Everybody knows the situation is not good but it's not our fault. We need home series because if there isn't any cricket in Pakistan how can we motivate the youngsters especially at school level and college level?

"I would say to the world, please come to Pakistan and play. I am very proud of my nation, I'm a proud man and this victory is good for all of us."

Other than the ill-fated series against Sri Lanka earlier this year, they have not hosted a home Test series since South Africa visited in October 2007 and their last one-day series was at home to Bangladesh over a year ago.

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Younus, draped in a Pakistan flag, dedicated the final triumph to former coach Bob Woolmer, who died in unexpected circumstances in Jamaica during the 2007 World Cup.

"This final must be dedicated to Bob because he did a lot of good for us, especially my cricket," said Younus. "He would be very proud if he was still alive.

"He was a father figure for us at that time. He was the guy who kept saying to the chairman and the selectors that Younus would be the next captain and because of him I have become a captain."

Watch the highlights of the SL-Pak Final match 

Younus also chose the final victory to announce his retirement from Twenty20 international cricket, adding: "I am 34 and I am old now for this kind of cricket.

"The good thing is we have some good youngsters like Shahzaib Hasan and Ahmad Shahzad so I am retiring from Twenty20 cricket. This was my last game."

Sangakkara upset

Disappointed Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, whose side have now lost in the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup, the final of the 2007 World Cup and in Sunday's final, admitted they did not set a competitive enough target.

"The way we batted wasn't the ideal start to our innings," he said. "We were short of about 20 runs on this track. We tried our best with the total we had but when you don't get early wickets in the first six overs it's always an uphill task.

"We've had a great tournament and I'm very proud of the way the team have responded, the way they've played and the attitude they've shown. There are a lot of things to take from here but it's heartbreaking when you lose a final and Pakistan outplayed us."

The ICC World Twenty20 2009 has been a story of spinners shining in the shorter format of the game. Write in to us with your thoughts at:fanspeak@espnstar.co.in