Younis Khan surpassed Javed Miandad as Pakistan’s highest run-getter in Test cricket, bringing up the landmark with a huge six off Moeen Ali in the first Test against England on Tueday.
The 37-year-old needed just 19 more runs to pass Miandad’s tally of 8,832 runs scored in 124 matches during an illustrious career which stretched from 1976 to 1993.
Younis was on 8,814 runs in 101 Tests, with a Pakistan record of 30 centuries, before the match started and said he wasn't feeling nervous at the prospect of overtaking the legendary Miandad whose aggregate had stood for 22 years as Inzamam-ul-Haq fell two runs short of equalling the tally in his last Test, against South Africa in 2007.
Inzamam finished with 8829 runs in 120 Tests.
“Records aside, I want to bat for my country and the best identity for me is not records. I want to be recognised as a batsman who always played for his country,” Younis had said before the match.
Like Miandad, Younis hit a hundred on debut which came against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi in 2000.
Last year, he plundered 468 runs in the 2-0 win over Australia, Pakistan’s first Test series victory over the Australians in 20 years.
Younis on his career and goals as narrated to BBC:
“I am like the turtle who won the race against the rabbit.”
“In the list of top test batsmen, I see the names of Indians and Sri Lankans. I want be put my name in the list of cricketers who have scored 10,000 Test runs just like the way I completed 30 Test tons.”
“I want to lead young cricketers and build a good team just like Imran Khan.”
