Daily Times

LAHORE: Pakistan’s most prolific Test batsman Younus Khan will quit international cricket after the three-Test series in West Indies starting later this month. The 39-year-old’s announcement comes after captain Misbahul Haq said on Thursday that the Caribbean tour would be his last, bringing an end to a 17-year Test career. The exits of Younus and Misbah after the three Tests in the Caribbean will cost the Pakistan team more than 190 matches worth of experience. The pair have formed the nucleus of Pakistan’s batting in the last seven years. “People are calling me and asking me not to make any announcement to leave but now is the time,” Younus told media on Saturday in Karachi. “A time comes in every player’s life when he has to decide and I always tried my best to serve my county with my head high. No player always remains fit, the motivation never remains the same, so this is the time when Younus should leave the field after the upcoming series in West Indies,” he added.

Younus’ first major break in international cricket came with his debut Test hundred against Sri Lanka in February 2000 at the Karachi National Stadium. In the second innings of the match, he scored a 107, cementing his place in the team as a strong lower middle-order batsman. Younus has played 115 Tests and is Pakistan’s most successful runs scorer in Test cricket with 34 Test centuries. He heads into the West Indies tour needing 23 runs to become his country’s first batsman and 13th batsman in the world to score 10,000 or more Test runs. Misbah, nearly 43, needs 49 for 5000. India’s Sachin Tendulkar currently tops the charts with 15,921 runs in 200 matches. “I always tried to be a good ambassador and serve my country to take it one step forward,” Younus maintained. “I hope I will be supported so I can complete 10,000 runs before I retire.”

Earlier this year, Younus became the first batsman ever to score centuries in all 11 countries that have hosted Tests after completing his set with a maiden ton in Australia. In 2009, Younus hit his best Test score of 313 against Sri Lanka, which is the third-highest from a Pakistan batsman in the longest format. Later that year, he led his country to a World T20 win at Lord’s where they defeated Sri Lanka to lift the trophy. Younus played 265 one day international and bagged 7249 runs before he retired in 2015. He also played 25 Twenty20 matches for his country. The batsman was named one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year along side Misbah earlier this week, after bagging a double-century during Pakistan 2-2 drawn Test series in England last year.

Though Younus and Misbah leave on their own terms – unusual for Pakistan cricket – it is reasonable to think that eventually, a decision could have been forced upon them. It is understood the chief selector Inzamamul Haq was keen for both to retire after the West Indies tour, allowing them a proper farewell and a chance for Younus to get to 10,000. Inzamam wants to build a younger side around a new Test captain and felt this was the time to do it. Speculation of retirement had not followed Younus like it did for Misbah, but the lack of a big score until the third Test in Sydney, where Younus made an unbeaten 175, did raise the question. Younus had said then that his future depended on what the team wanted from him.

“This isn’t something sudden, this was always building up and few of my close friends knew it. Although I had a plan to retire after surpassing Javed Miandad runs record, then I was motivated to complete 10,000 runs so I have decided to get them. The reason I announced it beforehand was people start asking me for more, they could then ask me to take 11,000 or 12,000 or I may start thinking about reaching Sachin 15,000 runs. Humans can never be satisfied but I am not of an age to make it that far, so I want people to respect my decision and allow me to fulfil my future plans.”

When asked how Pakistan would cope with him and Misbah leaving at the same time, Younus expressed confidence that Pakistan would be able to move on. “In the past these things were said, what Pakistan will do with big stars leaving, it will be difficult ahead … but life never stops for anyone, it needs to move on,” he said. “When I came in I shared the dressing room with players like Rashid Latif, Moin Khan, Inzamam, Wasim Akram, Saeed Anwar and I thought what will happen if they fade away. All pressure will come on us as junior players. But after two to three years Pakistan still did wonders, like in 2009 I won the World T20 with youngsters around me. I think Sarfraz Ahmed has a chance here to stand up and take the Pakistan team forward and we should think this way.”

Younus has cemented his place in Pakistan’s cricket history as an iconic batsman with unparalleled success. He has been a busy batsman at the crease. His batting style, in all its uniqueness, drew a fair amount of scepticism, but his ownership of his style remained unapologetic and firm. Younus said he would remain associated with cricket following his retirement. “Even though I will be retired from playing, my services will still be available for cricket,” he said. While the PCB would have to work hard to replace Younus, his retirement will bring him closer to pursuing his life-long passion of fishing and spending more time with his family.