History and legend await Younus

37-year-old 19 runs away from becoming Pakistan’s greatest run-scorer

ABU DHABI/ KARACHI:

Younus Khan is poised to surpass Javed Miandad as Pakistan’s highest Test run-getter, but refuses to be considered the equal of the man he describes as a “legend and an idol”.

The 37-year-old needs just 19 more runs in the three-Test series against England, starting on Tuesday, to pass Miandad’s tally of 8,832 runs in 124 matches during an illustrious career which stretched from 1976 to 1993.

Younus has so far scored 8,814 runs in 101 Tests, with a Pakistan record of 30 centuries.

“It would be great to achieve the record. I never thought I would do it at the start of my career,” said Younus. “Passing Miandad would be great but I am in no way close to the great man who is a legend of Pakistan cricket. Even after passing his tally of runs I would not be able to attain the heights that he achieved. He was idolised by millions.”



The veteran denied he is under any pressure to achieve the milestone, while also playing down the significance of records. “I am feeling very normal, there is no pressure on me,” he said. “This is an important series for us so I want to do my best for the team and country. Records aren’t the best identity for me. I want to be recognised as a batsman who always played for his country.”

The veteran batsman is in great form; having smashed a brilliant undefeated 171 in Pakistan’s last Test against Sri Lanka at Pallekele in July. That helped Pakistan chase down their highest target of 377 to win a Test. His score was the highest in the fourth innings of a Test by a Pakistani batsman. That century was also Younus’s fifth in a fourth innings of a Test — a new record in the history of the game.

“It has been a memorable journey for me and I am proud that I have been scoring runs for my country,” added the veteran.

Miandad wants youngsters to emulate Younus

While Younus remains humble in the face of the record, the man he will be replacing is just as graceful about it, wishing him luck and hoping that he continues playing for a long while.

“I wish Younus good luck as he has been a very good servant of Pakistan cricket and can be proud of his achievements,” Miandad told The Express Tribune. “He should continue being part of the team till he is performing as he is the mainstay of the batting line.”

Miandad added that Younus is a keen learner and the youngsters in the side should look to emulate him. “My message for the youngsters would be to learn as much as they can from Younus because he has stood against the odds with sheer dedication, making up for not being technically sound with hard work,” he said.

Yasir likely to miss out

Pakistan’s injury woes increased as leg-spinner Yasir Shah joined Azhar Ali on the treatment table, and is a doubt for the first Test.

Yasir got his spikes stuck in the pitch while bowling in practice and was gingerly escorted off the ground by teammate and fellow spinner Zulfiqar Babar.

It was later revealed that the leg-spinner suffered stress on his lower back, leaving him with just an outside chance of recovering in time for the Test. 20-year-old left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar has been called in as Yasir’s replacement if he is unable to recover in time.

“Yasir’s injury is a concern and could be a jolt,” skipper Misbahul Haq told a press conference on Monday. “We are looking into it and hope that he is okay by tomorrow morning.”

Meanwhile, all-rounder Shoaib Malik is odds-on to replace injured vice-captain Azhar Ali as he can double up as the fifth bowler with his off-spin.

Finn to miss first Test

England fast-bowler Steven Finn will miss the first Test with a foot injury, announced the England and Wales Cricket Board.

The 26-year-old sustained a stress injury to his left foot and will therefore sit out the opener.

Finn first felt pain in his foot during England’s second warm-up match against Pakistan A in Sharjah last week, but took part in a nets session on Sunday.

“It’s a bitter blow for him,” said England captain Alastair Cook. “He bowled really well in that warm-up game and over the last 12 months, he’s made huge strides back to where we’d like him to be. We’ll monitor him and hope he could be right for the second Test. But we’ll have to wait and see.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 13^th, 2015.

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