KARACHI: A large crowd gathered at the Jinnah International Airport on Monday to welcome recently-retired Younis Khan as he touched down in Karachi after his final Test against the West Indies.

Thanking the gathered crowd, Younis said he felt overwhelmed with the love he had received.

“I would like to congratulate Pakistan for all the achievements I have in cricket: they are wins for the nation and not just myself. I am grateful for the welcome I have received,” Younis said while taking to the media at the airport.

“I have a number of offers to consider and I will choose the option that is the best, for myself and for Pakistan,” he said while talking about his future plans.

Laughing off the idea of a foray into politics, the 39-year-old batsman said: “There are already great politicians in the country, I would like to continue serving the nation in my own way.”

Younis cemented his place in Pakistan’s cricket history as an iconic batsman with unparalleled success. He returns to Pakistan on the back of a historic win against the West Indies, as the jinx of Pakistan never winning a Test series in the Caribbean was lifted.

While the Pakistan Cricket Board would have to find someone to replace Younis, his retirement will bring him closer to pursuing his life-long passion of sport fishing and spending more time with his family.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2017