Islamabad, 22 June (AKI) - The captain of the Pakistani cricket team dedicated their World Twenty20 title to their troubled country after defeating Sri Lanka by eight wickets infront of a sell-out crowd at Lord's cricket ground in London.

"We were underdogs and had less pressure, but we came good in the big games. It's a credit to the country and to the team...we hadn't won anything since Imran Khan's team at the World Cup in 1992.

"This is a our gift to our nation. Hopefully, it will help cheer them up," said Pakistan's team captain Younus Khan, speaking after Sunday's victory.

Cricket fans throughout the country celebrated their national team's victory after Pakistan 139-2 (18.4 overs) beat Sri Lanka 138-6 by eight wickets.

On Monday, hundreds of fans of Shahid Afridi - considered the star of the match - met at his house in the port city of Karachi to congratulate his family.

Pakistan, runners-up to India in the inaugural World Twenty20 tournament in South Africa in 2007, last won the World Cup in 1992 after beating England.

Due to the volatile security situation in cricket-crazed Pakistan, the country has been deprived of international tours, in particular after the terroist attack against the Sri Lankan team in Lahore on 3 March.

Six police officers and the driver of a Sri Lankan team bus died in the ambush, which led to the halt of international cricket in Pakistan, including the 2011 World Cup.