LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and former Pakistan Test cricketers on Thursday congratulated Younis Khan for playing the 100th Test for the country when he took the field for the second Test against Sri Lanka at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo on Thursday.

Younis has become only the fifth Pakistan player to play 100 Test matches joining the likes of Javed Miandad (124), Inzamam-ul-Haq (119), Wasim Akram (104) and Saleem Malik (103).

Younis made the Test debut against Sri Lanka way back in 2000 at Rawalpindi, scoring a fighting century (107) in the second innings. Younis, over the years, established himself as the mainstay of Pakistan’s Test side with 8,600 runs in Test cricket at an impressive average of 53.41. The right-handed batsman has amassed 29 centuries and an equal number of half-centuries.

Pakistan team manager Naveed Akram Cheema and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq presented Younis with commemorative shields on the ground before the start of the Test on Thursday on behalf of the PCB and the team respectively.

Appreciating Younis’ services for Pakistan, PCB chairman Shaharyar M. Khan termed him as one of the best batsmen produced by the country.

“Younis has an exemplary work ethic and he has inspired a number of players. His performances are a source of pride for every Pakistani and I would like to congratulate him on this wonderful achievement,” he added.

Executive committee chairman Najam Sethi echoed similar sentiments while congratulating Younis.

“He is a proven match winner with runs against all top teams and I hope that he continues playing with the same passion,” Sethi said.

Pakistan’s former Test captain Intikhab Alam was all praise for Younis.

“Younis has been an excellent ambassador of Pakistan cricket and he deserves a lot of credit for this wonderful achievement,” said Intikhab.

In a special message, fast bowling legend Wasim Akram also congratulated Younis on this occasion.

“Playing 100 Test matches is not an easy job and this just goes to show his quality as an athlete,” added the former Pakistan captain.

Younis is currently placed at number three in the list of Pakistan’s all-time Test run-scorers, behind Javed Miandad and Inzamam-ul-Haq – another 233 runs stand between him and Javed Miandad’s highest 8,832 runs.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2015

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