Younus reveals his favourite winning moment

Senior batsman says victory against arch-rivals India was best of his career

Pakistan senior batsman Younus Khan revealed that his favourite victory moment for the national side is the win against India in a Test match in Bangalore in 2005.

In an interview provided by Pakistan Cricket Board, the 38-year-old batsman said that the win against arch-rivals on their home ground was the highlight of his cricket career.

Speaking during the ongoing Test against New Zealand in Hamilton, Younus said, “My favourite winning moment was against India in Bangalore.”

His choice seems a peculiar one for someone who lead Pakistan in 2009 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 triumph, and is currently the country’s all-time leading Test scorer with 9,666 runs. Not to mention he is one out of four Pakistanis to score a triple-ton in Test cricket.



Younus Khan celebrates his double hundred. PHOTO: AFP

However, at the same time, Younus’ choice is also understandable given the emotion and euphoria accompanied with playing against India.

The Bangalore Test was the last of a three-match Test series against India, which Pakistan were trailing 1-0 after losing the second Test in Kolkata. Previously, the first Test in Mohali ended in a draw.

On verge of losing the series going into the match, Pakistan were under fierce pressure, which was amplified as the visitors lost openers Yasir Hameed (six) and Shahid Afridi (duck) in under three overs after skipper Inzamamul Haq had decided to bat first.



Inzamam after reaching his ton. PHOTO: AFP

Nevertheless, Younus’ performance at number three, alongside Inzamam, stabilised the innings for Pakistan as he scored his Test career’s first double-ton, posting an individual score of 267 with the help of 32 fours and a six. Inzamam himself played a knock of 184 as Pakistan reached 570 before being dismissed.

India’s Harbhajan Singh did the brunt of work of the hosts, as he claimed six wickets in the first innings, with Lakshmipathy Balaji taking two wickets and Irfan Pathan taking one.

However, the game remained a close encounter when India, in response to Pakistan’s first innings, posted a total of 449, courtesy a double-century from right-hand batsman Virender Sehwag. For Pakistan, leg-spinner Danish Kaneria claimed a five-wicket haul alongside all-rounder Shahid Afridi and fast-bowler Mohammad Sami who gained two and three scalps respectively.



Danish Kaneria celebrates with teammates. PHOTO: AFP

Pakistani openers made amends for their failings in the first innings, with Hameed scoring 76 and Afridi scoring 58. Younus also provided with another exhilarating performance by smacking an 84 before the visitors declared on 261-2, giving India a target of 383 to win. Only leg-spinner Anil Kumble and batsman Sachin Tendulkar were able to claim wickets in the second innings for India.

Nonetheless, the target proved overwhelming for India, who were unable to handle Pakistan’s overall bowling attack, and were dismissed for 214. Afridi claimed three wickets in the last innings, whereas off-spinner Arshad Khan, Kaneria, and Sami claimed two wickets apiece.

For his heroics, Younus was awarded the man of the match award, as Pakistan won by 168 runs and levelled the series 1-1.