The peerless Younus Khan

“Should I shoot myself just because I have gone past 35?” These were the words of a seemingly disgruntled, frustrated and disappointed man after being dropped from the ODI side. In a much louder statement, that same man is now past 25.

Anyone who heard Younus air these views in an astonishing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board and the team management during the domestic Twenty20 tournament last month feared that the former Test captain might never return to the game, as he declared himself unavailable for the Test series against Australia.



But most of us are happy to have been proven wrong and one feels that the team management, led by manager Moin Khan, would be sharing the same sentiment. The batting woes that were exposed during the ODIs against Australia seem to have been overcome by the return of the resilient batsman.

Australian skipper Michael Clarke though must be ruing the clash between Younus and the management, as his team has borne the brunt of a man out to prove a point.

“Younus is a class act, a gentleman and a great player,” were the words of the opposing captain after Younus scored the record-breaking 26th century.

While we can continue to harp on about his contribution to the Dubai Test – scoring centuries in both innings as Pakistan near a historic win – the current moment must be dedicated to appreciate his contribution as a top-class performer.

The ton yesterday was Younus’s 26th in Tests, taking him past Inzamamul Haq’s tally of 25 to make him Pakistan’s highest century maker in Tests.

Younus has taken a mere 92 Tests to get to the mark. If we exclude Sir Don Bradman’s otherworldly tally of 29 centuries in 52 Tests, Younus’s century-scoring rate puts him in elite company.

In 92 Tests, Sunil Gavaskar, Matthew Hayden and Sachin Tendulkar had 28 centuries apiece. Younus and Sir Gary Sobers – arguably the greatest all-rounder ever – follow the trio with a tally of 26 centuries to their names.



In recent years, Pakistan have struggled to produce world class batsmen, especially in the longest format of the game, and the seasoned campaigner has to shoulder added responsibility.

Younus is easily a cut above the rest, and since the retirement of Inzamam and the fading away of Muhammad Yousuf, he has carried on as the lone Pakistan superstar who can be ranked among modern batting greats.

The Dubai knocks are likely to earn Younus another chance in the ODI team, and deservingly so.



Pakistan have four more Tests to play before they take on New Zealand in the 50-over format, and Younus will be looking to further make his bat do the talking to go with his earlier outburst.

Moin, head coach Waqar Younis and captain Misbahul Haq all need to realise that Younus may still be indispensible, even as he nears the end of an accomplished career.

Pakistan cricket must give Younus his due, it must give him the respect that he richly deserves and it must ensure that he is given the license to play with a free and uncluttered mind.

The World Cup is still more than three months away, but one feels that by the time the New Zealand ODIs end, Younus’ name will be the first one on Pakistan’s team sheet for the premier tournament.

Actions speak louder than words, and Younus has made his point loud and clear.

Top 5 Test centurions

Name                                     Matches    100s

Younus Khan               92*               26

Inzamamul Haq          120               25

Mohammad Yousuf    90                 24

Javed Miandad            124               23

Saleem Malik               103               15

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2014.

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