He will forever be a legend in Pakistan, but Saturday marked the end of an era for Younis Khan’s fans. Younis Khan announced his retirement on Saturday, just two days after Misbah announced his.
“People are calling me and asking me not to make any announcement to leave but now is the time,” the 39-year-old Younis said. “A time comes in every player’s life when he has to decide and I always tried my best to serve my county with my head high. No player always remains fit, the motivation never remains the same, so this is the time when Younis should leave the field after the upcoming series in West Indies.”
Younis Khan’s best Test score — 313 against Sri Lanka in 2009 — is the third highest for Pakistan, after Hanif Mohammad’s 337 and Inzamam-ul-Haq’s 329. He led Pakistan to victory during the 2009 ICC World Twenty20. He was recently named one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year.
While the moment was inevitable, it’s still tough for fans to cope with.
Only Tendulkar scored more runs and centuries at away/neutral venues than YK, and he never had to deal with an Ejaz Butt while doing it. pic.twitter.com/ZH9Ovu92ma
— Hassan Cheema (@mediagag) April 8, 2017
They helped when we were down, conquered when country needed, excelled when there was a drought & nvr complained! #TrueHeros #MisbahYK pic.twitter.com/uoQRsqfMlw
— Doctor Faisal Ranjha (@fasiranjha) April 8, 2017
“If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same..” pic.twitter.com/0Dm2gVwPbO— Daaniyal (@Le_Sabre54) April 8, 2017
Few more days and Pakistan Cricket will be without these two gentlemen of the game. pic.twitter.com/weasOmQ4rd
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) April 8, 2017
Is this the first time that two Wisden players of the Year have retired less than a week after winning the award?
— Misbah-ul-Younis (@DennisCricket_) April 8, 2017
The last two flag-bearers of cricket classicism bow out. What a vital partnership it turned out to be. pic.twitter.com/sI9n1VMySa
— NadeemFarooqParacha (@NadeemfParacha) April 8, 2017
Misbah was a better captain than Imran Khan. Imran had Miandad, Wasim, Waqar. Misbah only had Younis Khan.
— Junaid Akram (@junaidakram83) April 6, 2017
Fortunate to be in the generation who witnessed Younis Khan. some extraordinary cricket and great temperament ???
— Fazeela Saba (@FazeelaSaba1) April 8, 2017
“Younis Khan to hang Test jersey up after WI tour”
He is just 23 runs away from the 10,000-runs mark in Test cricket.You made us all proud pic.twitter.com/qx2sgFiclD
— Nabeel Khan (@hyp3rfr3ak) April 8, 2017
Congrats Younis Khan on a super career. A man who cud smile even when there was absolutely carnage around him. Don’t know how he did that.
— Monty Panesar (@MontyPanesar) April 8, 2017
It has been a privilege to witness these two legends play for Pak Cricket. Thank you Misbah and Younis Khan and best of luck for the future.
— Fawad Rana (@FawadNaeemRana) April 8, 2017
Self limited however extremely resilient, a man of conviction, extremely loyal, the man who played for pride, we salute you Younis Khan
— Dr. Nauman Niaz (@DrNaumanNiaz) April 8, 2017
Misbah & Younis Khan getting the recognition they deserve. Fantastic professionals & even better servants to Pakistani cricket. Legends.
— Carlos (@RealCarlito_32) April 5, 2017
Younis Khan “Please forgive me for any mistakes I have made. Sometimes I have been very aggressive so please ignore those mistakes” #Cricket
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) April 8, 2017
Younis Khan is 6th on the list of most century makers in cricket’s century plus history! Will #MisYou #Legend pic.twitter.com/mxbmWwJIQK
— A Patriot (@Apassionateguy) April 8, 2017
Younis Khan is the only Pakistani batsman who manage the 50+avg in all four innings for test cricket
— Shoaib Jatt (@Shoaib_Jatt) April 8, 2017
Younis Khan Retirement should be the lesson for any Cricketer how to leave the game with Grace.?? pic.twitter.com/GNFjDJ00a3
— Abdul Ghaffar (@GhaffarDawnNews) April 8, 2017
Younis Khan announces retirement from international cricket.. Perhaps Pakistan’s best Test batsman after Javed Miandad. A nice & humble man
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) April 8, 2017
Younis Khan’s retirement shud not b seen as The End but a Start.Let’s give him a role in the PCB & benefit from d treasure of his experience
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) April 8, 2017
Brilliance of @captainmisbahpk & Younis Khan made #Pakistan #1 in Test #Cricket. Served with commitment, like true professionals #Retirement pic.twitter.com/s7nIzaAUXw
— Nadeem Malik (@nadeemmalik) April 8, 2017
“Younis Khan is the #ChuckNorris of Cricket”, @DennisCricket_ #11Countries11Centuries #Legend
— Awes A. Khan (@aweskk) January 15, 2017
Younis Khan is 23 short of becoming the first Pakistan batsman to 10,000 Test… https://t.co/viVh5atOeW by #ESPNcricinfo via @c0nvey pic.twitter.com/lVMdLZvxyl
— Ravindra (@RavieSpeaks) April 8, 2017
