KARACHI: Former Test skipper Zaheer Abbas and ex-chief selector Salahuddin Sallu on Thursday showered praise on ace batsman Younis Khan for his extra-ordinary achievements and record-breaking feats against Australia.

“Younis Khan’s batting is par-excellence and I and the whole nation is proud of his record-breaking feats against a top ranked side like Australia,” Zaheer said in an interview on Thursday after Younis registered his third successive ton in the second Test against Australia in Abu Dhabi.Younis is the fourth batsmen after Zaheer Abbas, Mohammad Yousuf and Mudassar Nazar to have scored three centuries in successive innings.

“The most heartening things about Younis’ performance is that he carried the team forward without caring about his personal record,” said Zaheer who is known as the Asian Bradman for his batting feats during his playing days.

“Younis’ performance is touching the skies now and I am absolutely delighted with his batting,” said Zaheer.

“He has proved himself one of Pakistan’s all time batting great in the cricketing annals.”

Ex-chairman of selectors Sallu also showered praise on Younis and said the Peshawar-born players is a complete batsman whose potential and class has never been in doubt.

“Younis has silenced his critics with a superlative show against the Aussies and no praise is high enough for his performance,” said Sallu. “Younis is such a fine role model for the youngsters, he is not only a thorough gentleman but is super fit for his age and on top of his game today which gives Pakistan a clear edge over the mighty Australians.”

Sallu, however, advised Younis to avoid reverse sweeps in order to score bigger hundreds. “I feel that if Younis can refrain from playing the reverse sweep, he can go on to score another triple hundred,” Sallu observed.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2014