Younis makes history, joins 10,000-run club
kingston — Younis Khan became the first Pakistan batsman to score 10,000 Test runs on Sunday, reaching the milestone against West Indies in the opening match of his farewell international series.
Earlier this year, Younis also became the first batsman to score centuries in all 11 countries that have hosted Tests after completing his set with a maiden ton in Australia, and the Pakistan Cricket Board was quick to pay tribute to the 39-yearold’s “prolific career”. “Younis Khan has been an excellent ambassador of Pakistan cricket,” PCB Chairman Shaharyar M. Khan said on the board’s website. “The number of records he has set in the recent past is something we as a nation can take great pride in.”
PCB executive committee chairman Najam Aziz Sethi said Younis was a “run machine” while chief operating officer Subhan Ahmad described him as the “backbone” of Pakistan’s batting. Younis was stuck on 9,999 runs at the tea break on the third day at Sabina Park in Kingston but did not have to wait much longer for his moment to come.
On the second ball of the final session, Younis swept off-spinner Roston Chase to the fine-leg boundary as an excited Pakistani contingent in the small crowd cheered and chanted wildly.
Younis removed his helmet, pointed his bat towards his team mates in the pavilion and punched his chest.
He took 208 innings to reach the 10,000 mark, and has averaged just over 53 runs in his 116-test career, scoring 34 centuries.
India’s Sunil Gavaskar became the first player to score 10,000 test runs in 1987 while his compatriot Sachin Tendulkar heads the alltime list with 15,921.
After sharing in a third-wicket partnership of 131 with Babar Azam on Sunday, Younis was caught at cover off paceman Shannon Gabriel for 58.
Pakistan were 201 for four wickets at stumps in their first innings, 85 runs behind. —