ISLAMABAD, Apr 2 (APP): Currently facing an indefinite ban handed to him by the PCB after the recent debacle of the Australian tour, Younis talked about how he would like to see himself make a final exit from the world of international cricket. If you look back at the period right after the 2003 World Cup, you will see that a handful of players including Saeed Anwar, Wasim Akram, Ijaz Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq were discarded from the team. Wasim Akram didn’t even actually retire; he was in England when he got the news (of his ouster).
Over the course of the next five years, Younis Khan matured into a brilliant cricketer and became a powerful force in Pakistan Cricket. His efforts culminated to him leading Pakistan to victory in the most recent T20 World Cup in England.“After winning the World Cup for Pakistan, I don’t know how much higher I can go,” pakpassion.net quoted Younis as saying, content with his decision to retire from T20s.
“That is when I decided that I want to retire from cricket when I am at my peak.”
And what an illustrious career it has been too! 63 Test caps for his country; an impressive career batting average of 50.09;
16 centuries, 21 fifties, and to top it all off, a Test top score of 313 in a match-saving effort. Such a momentous feat can only be achieved through a unique mixture of hard work, perseverance, level headedness and most importantly, sheer talent. However Younis Khan is adamant that the buck of the Pakistani batting line up does not end with the Younis and Yousuf pair.
“A lot of people say that after Younis and Yousuf there isn’t much depth in our domestic cricket - I disagree. There are several players out there who can take up the mantle after us,” was Younis’ optimistic and confident prediction.
In his opinion however, the presence of senior, experienced players in the team is absolutely crucial for the benefit of younger members such as Ahmed Shehzad, whom he classified as a “very good, promising youngster.” Younis and Yousuf both agree that in the final years of their careers, what matters most is that they are available to support the younger generation, ensuring that the depth of talent, class and skill is maintained long after their departure.
In a message to his fans and the media, Younis remarked that it is very easy to misunderstand players’ attitudes as they are constantly being scrutinized and the smallest actions are blown out of proportion. “When I was playing for the U19s, some people felt I was proud although the fact that after 10 years of cricket I’m sitting here in front of you should prove to you that I’m not. I just wanted to do my best with the bat. I had very little interactions with the media and didn’t want to get involved with the publicity of it all.”
Younis made it clear that he wanted to contribute more to Pakistan cricket. “Allah knows best and as long as Allah wants, I will play for Pakistan,” the words of a truly humble and down to earth person.
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