KARACHI, Oct 29: Younis Khan, Pakistan's batting hero, declared on Friday that he was never disheartened at his being in and out from the team. "I never lost hope despite being confined to the reserves bench. It was a matter of getting a look in.

I bade my time while being out of the team. And when finally the opportunity came along, I took it with both hands," Younis told reporters after making 124, his sixth century in 29 Tests.

The right-hander from Peshawar, returning to the Test XI after a hiatus of more than 13 months, described his innings as the most important of his career. "In modern day cricket there is a lot of competition for places. In that context, I had no choice but to ensure that I got a big score to prove the critics wrong.

"Even though, I was away from the Test scene, I kept myself involved by playing in domestic competitions as well as one-day cricket," he added. Younis said the wicket had eased out on Friday. "It was good for batting today. No doubt, on the first day there was lot of moisture that assisted our bowlers."

Younis, who scored 107 in the second innings of his debut Test against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi in 1999-2000, revealed that he felt comfortable batting at No 3. "Frankly, I don't make a fuss about my batting position as long as I'm in the playing XI," he joked. "But seriously, I find No 3 as comfortable as any other batting spot. However, I hope that I continue to perform as well as I have done today."