- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Writing for SkySports Cricket, Saj looks at Younis Khan's legacy after he reached 10,000 Test runs in his final series for Pakistan
It was in January 2017 that a disappointed Younus Khan walked back to the pavilion in Sydney after scoring just 13 runs in a dismal Pakistan second-innings performance.
After an unbeaten 175 in the first innings, it had been deemed a formality that the man regarded by many as Pakistan's finest batsmen would have scored the last few runs in that series to attain the milestone that would make him the only batsman from his country to have scored 10,000 Test runs.
Much to the dismay of Younus and his fans, he was now left with just 23 runs to score to reach the magical 10,000 run mark with Pakistan's next Test assignment in late April against the West Indies.
While almost three months would be an insignificant length of time to wait in any sphere of life, in the weird and wonderful world of Pakistan cricket a lot could happen in the intervening period. The fact was that the catastrophic failures of the Pakistan batting line-up on the Australian tour had left a few tongues wagging.
Suddenly, the awesome record which Younus had built upon in his 115 Tests where he had amassed 9977 runs was now a mere matter of statistics confined to pages in record books. The calls for the removal of Pakistan's old guard in the shape of the 42-year-old Misbah-ul-Haq and 39-year-old Younus were growing louder and louder.
The pressure to move on finally got to Misbah who announced in early April that the West Indies series would be his last. The gaze of the world now turned firmly towards Younus, who obliged with his own decision to leave the international scene at the end of the same series.
The ever-smiling and largely affable Younus had seen many ups and downs in an international career which began in 2000 in an ODI series against Sri Lanka. Along the way, Younus scored 34 Test hundreds and captured the gratitude of many admirers around the world, but strangely enough, he also faced the ignominy of being banned for an indefinite period for charges of infighting in 2010.
Many of his best innings for Pakistan came under stressful conditions and when his team needed him to perform. In a sense, he has had the knack of lifting himself from periods of struggle and low performances.
Apart from the sheer brilliance needed to pass 200 on six occasions in Tests, including one triple century, Younus' uncanny ability to rise to the occasion when all seemed lost for his team was a great source of comfort for Pakistan.
No better example of his penchant to confound his critics can be found than in Pakistan's tour of England last year when an out-of-sorts Younus bounced back and made 218 to enable Pakistan to square the series.
With just one Test remaining, England seemed to be in the ascendancy by virtue of a 2-1 lead in the series, Pakistan were on the ropes and career obituaries for Younus were being written with alarming frequency. All indications pointed to a series loss for Pakistan but Younus, true to his reputation as a fighter, stepped up to the plate in the final Test at the Oval.
He repeated the feat in Australia, albeit in a losing cause, where scores of 0, 65, 21 and 24 were suddenly followed up by what many felt would be a match-saving 175 not out in the final Test of the series in Sydney. However, the frailties of the Pakistan batting line-up which Younus had carried on his shoulders on many occasions proved too big a burden on this occasion.
And now in the West Indies on April 23, the world waited with baited breath as Younus walked onto the Sabina Park pitch. Just 23 runs needed to add yet another highlight to a career which draws towards its end. If there were any butterflies, they were firmly in the stomachs of the millions of his fans who tuned in despite it being past-midnight in his native land.
A consummate professional, Younus, for his part, went about this special innings like he would do at any other when representing his country. He bided his time, established himself and calmly crossed the threshold of 10,000 runs.
While the honour of becoming the only Pakistani to attain this landmark was unique enough, Younus' achievements of being the highest run-scorer and the batsman with the most Test hundreds for his country also deserves equal attention.
His announcement of retirement was met with a healthy dose of conspiracy theories which he, in a very Younus Khan style, put away for four by addressing his fans in a special video message.
The disbelief at the impending departure of the man from Mardan is running deep in Pakistan circles. Shoaib Akhtar in a recent message called for Younus to be referred as 'Unique' Khan for his special connection with his fans and admirers and Javed Miandad feels that it would be a travesty to let Younus walk away at the height of his game.
While it is true that all greats have to walk away from the game at some point in their lives, Younus' position as a legendary cricketer for Pakistan is well established and the 10,000-run milestone is mere confirmation of his stature in record books and the hearts of his fans.
His legacy will be one of a gutsy, hard-working cricketer who did things his own way. He wasn't afraid to stand up to those in authority or stand up to the best bowlers in the world. Behind that smile, there was a steely determination to perform for his country and he will be sorely missed.
http://www.skysports.com/cricket/ne...reaching-10000-tests-runs-prior-to-retirement
It was in January 2017 that a disappointed Younus Khan walked back to the pavilion in Sydney after scoring just 13 runs in a dismal Pakistan second-innings performance.
After an unbeaten 175 in the first innings, it had been deemed a formality that the man regarded by many as Pakistan's finest batsmen would have scored the last few runs in that series to attain the milestone that would make him the only batsman from his country to have scored 10,000 Test runs.
Much to the dismay of Younus and his fans, he was now left with just 23 runs to score to reach the magical 10,000 run mark with Pakistan's next Test assignment in late April against the West Indies.
While almost three months would be an insignificant length of time to wait in any sphere of life, in the weird and wonderful world of Pakistan cricket a lot could happen in the intervening period. The fact was that the catastrophic failures of the Pakistan batting line-up on the Australian tour had left a few tongues wagging.
Suddenly, the awesome record which Younus had built upon in his 115 Tests where he had amassed 9977 runs was now a mere matter of statistics confined to pages in record books. The calls for the removal of Pakistan's old guard in the shape of the 42-year-old Misbah-ul-Haq and 39-year-old Younus were growing louder and louder.
The pressure to move on finally got to Misbah who announced in early April that the West Indies series would be his last. The gaze of the world now turned firmly towards Younus, who obliged with his own decision to leave the international scene at the end of the same series.
The ever-smiling and largely affable Younus had seen many ups and downs in an international career which began in 2000 in an ODI series against Sri Lanka. Along the way, Younus scored 34 Test hundreds and captured the gratitude of many admirers around the world, but strangely enough, he also faced the ignominy of being banned for an indefinite period for charges of infighting in 2010.
Many of his best innings for Pakistan came under stressful conditions and when his team needed him to perform. In a sense, he has had the knack of lifting himself from periods of struggle and low performances.
Apart from the sheer brilliance needed to pass 200 on six occasions in Tests, including one triple century, Younus' uncanny ability to rise to the occasion when all seemed lost for his team was a great source of comfort for Pakistan.
No better example of his penchant to confound his critics can be found than in Pakistan's tour of England last year when an out-of-sorts Younus bounced back and made 218 to enable Pakistan to square the series.
With just one Test remaining, England seemed to be in the ascendancy by virtue of a 2-1 lead in the series, Pakistan were on the ropes and career obituaries for Younus were being written with alarming frequency. All indications pointed to a series loss for Pakistan but Younus, true to his reputation as a fighter, stepped up to the plate in the final Test at the Oval.
He repeated the feat in Australia, albeit in a losing cause, where scores of 0, 65, 21 and 24 were suddenly followed up by what many felt would be a match-saving 175 not out in the final Test of the series in Sydney. However, the frailties of the Pakistan batting line-up which Younus had carried on his shoulders on many occasions proved too big a burden on this occasion.
And now in the West Indies on April 23, the world waited with baited breath as Younus walked onto the Sabina Park pitch. Just 23 runs needed to add yet another highlight to a career which draws towards its end. If there were any butterflies, they were firmly in the stomachs of the millions of his fans who tuned in despite it being past-midnight in his native land.
A consummate professional, Younus, for his part, went about this special innings like he would do at any other when representing his country. He bided his time, established himself and calmly crossed the threshold of 10,000 runs.
While the honour of becoming the only Pakistani to attain this landmark was unique enough, Younus' achievements of being the highest run-scorer and the batsman with the most Test hundreds for his country also deserves equal attention.
His announcement of retirement was met with a healthy dose of conspiracy theories which he, in a very Younus Khan style, put away for four by addressing his fans in a special video message.
The disbelief at the impending departure of the man from Mardan is running deep in Pakistan circles. Shoaib Akhtar in a recent message called for Younus to be referred as 'Unique' Khan for his special connection with his fans and admirers and Javed Miandad feels that it would be a travesty to let Younus walk away at the height of his game.
While it is true that all greats have to walk away from the game at some point in their lives, Younus' position as a legendary cricketer for Pakistan is well established and the 10,000-run milestone is mere confirmation of his stature in record books and the hearts of his fans.
His legacy will be one of a gutsy, hard-working cricketer who did things his own way. He wasn't afraid to stand up to those in authority or stand up to the best bowlers in the world. Behind that smile, there was a steely determination to perform for his country and he will be sorely missed.
http://www.skysports.com/cricket/ne...reaching-10000-tests-runs-prior-to-retirement
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