I want to see Pakistan at No. 1 in Test rankings: Younis Khan

Published June 25, 2015
Younis Khan carries a stump at the end of the first Test between Pakistan and Australia at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on October 26, 2014. — AFP/File
Younis Khan carries a stump at the end of the first Test between Pakistan and Australia at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on October 26, 2014. — AFP/File

Pakistan's most-reliable batsman in Test cricket, Younis Khan, will enter the field today to record his 100th Test presence for his country. A feat achieved by only four other Pakistanis: Javed Miandad, Saleem Malik, Wasim Akram and Inzamam-ul-Haq.

With a unique record of averaging 50+ in all innings of a Test match, Younis wants to see Pakistan at the No. 1 spot in ICC Test rankings. “I will be extremely happy to see Pakistan at No.1 in the ICC Test Rankings before I call time on my career,” Younis tells cricket.com.au.

Pakistan currently resides on the sixth place with 97 points, but a series win over Sri Lanka will see them climb to No. 3.

“After I scored triple-century against Sri Lanka in 2009 I was elevated to No.1 in the batting rankings and therefore, as an individual, I know how good it feels when you are at the top.

“I want to see Pakistan at No.1 and hold the ICC Test Mace,” says Younis.

Pakistan are eager to celebrate senior batsman Younis' 100th Test appearance with a series-clinching victory against Sri Lanka.

Younis' 8,594 runs put him in third place among Pakistan's leading run-getters in Tests behind Miandad, who scored 8,832 runs, and Inzamam, who had 8,829.

His 29 Test centuries, the same as Australian legend Donald Bradman, are the most by any Pakistan batsman. Inzamam is in second place with 25.

Younis says it is a “dream come true” to be playing his 100th Test, but he still has goals to fulfill before hanging up his boots.

“It's like a dream come true because I wished for it,” he told Cricinfo.

“When I played my first Test, I got a taste of this format and started developing a desire to play 100-plus Test matches.

“I will call off my career with grace, but I still have some goals in my mind and I am close to achieving those goals as well. I can't share that goal at this point, but you will know very soon.”

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