Stars laud Khan as 100th Test approaches

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  • Khan reacing new milestone.

    The iconic, seemingly ever-present figure of Pakistani cricket, Younis Khan, will on Thursday become the fifth player from his homeland to reach 100 Tests for his nation.

    Against Sri Lanka, the 37-year-old batsman will join the 100 club alongside fellow Pakistan greats Javed Miandad, Inzamaul Haq, Wasim Akram and Saleem.

    If there has ever been a more humble, at times underrated, champion of Pakistan cricket, it is Younis.

    His modesty seems to go against him in a country where fans love players with attitude and aggression; even if they do not win you matches regularly. A workmanlike batsman at the wicket, Younis is overshadowed by personalities such as Shahid Afridi, but his record and commitment to the cause are unrivaled.

    The famous expression ‘When the going gets tough, the tough gets going’ sum up both Younis’ character and career.

    His prolific run-scoring on the Test stage has him third on the all-time top-scorers list for Pakistan with 8,594 runs scored at an average of 53.71 with 29 hundreds and as many fifties.

    Former captain Moin Khan believes that the discipline he has exerted in his personal life has helped him as much as his dedication to the game.

    “He has been a disciplined cricketer throughout his life which has enabled him to play for so long for Pakistan with dignity and honour. He isn’t very social, keeps himself limited to his own world and remains focused on his cricket which I feel has played a big part in his success,” Moin told Sport360.

    “If you look at the number of matches he has played and the amount of runs he has scored, then he is right up there among the legends of Pakistan, probably at the top of the pile. To me, he has always come across as a fighter. Someone who is hungry for runs and wants to win matches for Pakistan.”

    Younis widely respected by anyone he comes across, be it teammate or opponent. Australian players, including skipper Michael Clarke, praised Younis last year for his cricketing spirit and called him one of the rare gentlemen of the game. Clarke and his side were not the first and won’t be the last to make such comments about Younis.

    “He has been a complete team man throughout his career and it is really pleasing to see him go so long in his career. It would be great to watch him complete the landmark with yet another memorable ton,” added Moin.

    Younis is only second to West Indian legend Brian Lara in terms of the most number of runs after 99 Tests. Lara scored 8,833 runs at that stage of his career, and Younis’ efforts have him placed higher than such illustrious names as Kumar Sangakkara, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting.

    He has also scored a century against all Test-playing countries, with seven coming against Sri Lanka and five against arch-rivals India, and is the only Pakistani batsman to do so.

    One man who witnessed the shy boy from Mardan travel to Karachi and become an international star is his former captain, Rashid Latif.

    It was at Latif’s club Malir Gymkhana that Younis started to learn the art of batting under the guidance of Latif and Saeed Anwar.

    “I feel really proud because Younis has gone onto achieve so much in his career infront of my eyes. I’ve seen him grow in stature right from the club days of Malir Gymkhana to first-class player and now into a legend,” said Latif.

    “He has seen lots of ups and downs in his life which have made him stronger. In his early days, he was really short tempered but with time he has matured a lot and is really strong mentally and physically which makes him different compared to others.”

    Latif wished that Younis would go onto raise his bat again in the second Test against Sri Lanka to celebrate his 100th Test in style.

    “It’s my personal wish that Younis befittingly would score a century in his 100th Test. Apart from the wish, Younis’ career suggest that he always rises in special occasion thus I wouldn’t be surprised to see him play a big knock to be honest,” he added.

    “He has always come to the fore whenever Pakistan has been in trouble, which has been a hallmark of his career.”

    Apart from personal achievements, Younis Khan helped Pakistan win the 2009 World Twenty20 title in England, but soon after the triumph, a revolt against his leadership saw him hand over the captaincy.

    There was a thought that it might be the end of Younis career as then PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt forced him out of the side for 18 months but Younis never surrendered and returned to the team with the determined nature that has underpinned the success he has enjoyed in his career.

    “My personal point of view is that the loss of captaincy really helped him and prolonged his career because he was not in the limelight every time and remained away from controversy. I feel, had he remained the captain for a longer period, his career may have ended prematurely,” said Latif.

    Given Younis’ nature, you can be sure that such disappointments are not dwelled upon, but instead inspire him to make even more certain his place in the national setup.

    While he remains an integral member of the side, there will be a point when Younis has to hang up his boots and pack away his bat.

    Maybe then, he will finally be lauded by his countrymen as the true giant of the game he is.

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