Man from Mardan does Pakistan cricket proud
Younis Khan, after seventeen years’ toil in the volatile national cricket crucible, accomplished what only twelve batsmen have achieved in Test cricket history, passing the milestone of 10,000 runs. He reached the coveted five figure mark in his 116th match, which included 34 centuries and 32 fifties, and an average of 53. Thereby, he became only the fifth Asian to join the elite 10,000 club, which was started by voracious Sunil Gavaskar in 1987, and is headed by compatriot Sachin Tendulkar, with an incredible 15, 921 runs.
In tandem with the equally redoubtable Inzimam-ul -Haq and Mohammad Yousuf, Younis formed the soul and backbone of Pakistan cricket. In Australia in January 2017, he achieved the feat of being the only batsmen in world cricket to score centuries in eleven countries. But the latest grand exploit comes with a little caveat. Younis, aged 39, was the oldest cricketer to achieve the dream figure, and so the cricketing world is also witness to the twilight of a great career in this, his farewell tour. But as the classic cricket writer, Sir Neville Cardus rightly remarked, ‘we remember not the scores and the results in after years; it is the men who remain in our minds, in our imagination’.
And this will always remain the strong forte of the ever- smiling and effervescent Pathan from Mardan, who hugely entertained the spectators with the quality of his batting, often in difficult situations, walked even if not given out by the umpire and delighted in the good fellowship of professional rivals of all countries. He had to confront his share of the ugly side of Pakistan cricket, dirty politics, cronyism, team infighting, controversy over captaincy, brushes with selectors, retirement issues and falling foul of cricket bosses. Paying just tribute, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Shaharyar Khan called Younis Khan ‘an excellent ambassador of Pakistan cricket’ and Executive Committee chairman Najam Sethi termed him a ‘run machine’. Like the legendary cricketers of the Golden Age, he made the cricket ground a happy home for comedy and character.
