Younus Khan: batting master class

Batting maestro Younus Khan chalked out another impressive century to once again exemplify his stature as a modern Test great and all-time Pakistan legend. Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Stadium welcomed back the Mardan born with open arms after Younus was forced to sit out the Day and Night Dubai Test due to after effects from dengue infection. The West Indian team bore the brunt of Younus’s batting pedigree as the seasoned campaigner showed that he had indeed regained full fitness besides his powers of concentration were too at their fullest and absolute best.

In an innings studded with the classical Younus drives, cuts, flicks and pulls the batsman posted the 33^rd century of his illustrious Test career. Younus scored 127 runs off 205 balls striking 10 fours and one six in the process, his 175-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Misbah was a record 15^th century plus stand between the two middle-order greats. For the 32^nd consecutive time Younus crossed the 100-run mark without falling in the nervous 90s, becoming the only batsman in Test history to record such an incredible record even going past the indomitable batting champion, Don Bradman.

Younus has aged like fine wine and since turning 35 he has averaged a mind-blowing 60 runs per innings which clearly emphasises his commitment, fitness and longevity levels. Pakistan need the stalwart to sustain the momentum with the gruelling tours to New Zealand and Australia approaching. Australia especially in the only Test playing country where Younus’ hasn’t scored a century yet and his current form and application prowess provides him with an ideal opportunity of cashing in and piling on the runs Down Under. He doesn’t have a long road to travel but if his stellar form and fitness continues to hold then Pakistan squeeze up to two years more out of Younus in the Test whites, with his run tally now a staggering 9,583, Younus is with-in touching distance of the elusive 10,000-run mark.

Two more years can give Younus 1,500-1,800 more international runs or even help him get past the 12,000 mark, a tally of at least 40 centuries at the end of his career also looks a realistic possibility.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2016.

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