ISLAMABAD: Former Test batsman Zaheer Abbas feels Younis Khan’s scintillating century in the ongoing Dubai Test against Australia qualifies him for selection in the World Cup-bound squad.

Thrilled over Younis Khan’s performance in the Test match against Australia said the former captain deserves a definite chance in the 2015 World Cup squad to prove his mark.

Younis registered his record-equalling 25th Test century on the opening day of the first Test in Dubai. Younis’ knock took him level with Inzamam-ul-Haq’s national record of centuries but made the 36-year-old the first Pakistani to score hundreds against all Test-playing nations.

Zaheer pointed out that Younis was dropped during the ODI series against Australia and Pakistan were whitewashed in the rubber 3-0.

“It has never been easy for Younis. Things keep going against him but he has proved time and again that he is playing for his country,” Zaheer, a 78-Test veteran, said.

“I definitely see Younis playing in the 2015 World Cup as we have seen our team’s performance in the ODI series [against Australia] without him,” Zaheer underlined.

Commenting on Misbah-ul-Haq’s individual performance, the Asian Bradman said it was also a good sign that the skipper had regained his form in the Dubai Test crafting a crucial 69 at an important juncture.

“It must have been very hard for Misbah to sit in the dressing room while his team was playing the third ODI [against Australia in the UAE],” Zaheer reckoned, adding with Misbah and Younis both in form Pakistan could become a formidable ODI force.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2014