KARACHI: Master batsman Younis Khan on Monday took guard for yet another history-making innings of his career when he joined hands with Indus Hospital in a fund raising campaign, aimed at the hospital’s expansion.

Addressing a large media contingent and the hospital’s senior staff members in a joint press conference with Indus Hospital CEO Professor Abdul Bari Khan, Younis said following his recent retirement from the ODIs, he is keen to serve the country in some other capacity now and wants to focus his energies on a constructive project and there is nothing better than serving the humanity.

“Indus Hospital has provided me with this platform to serve my countrymen and I will Inshallah dedicate myself for this noble cause from here on,” said the record breaking player who overtook the legendary Javed Miandad in the series against England in the UAE to become the highest Test run-getter for Pakistan.

“I am thankful to Indus as well as my marketing agents Makaab in helping me reach this decision,” said Younis. “I had been thinking about how to channelise my energies since the time I stopped playing T20 cricket and now the ODIs as well. But now with this project I have found my goal and my focus will be here.”

Recalling how he lost half his family to untimely deaths and illnesses, Younis said this project with Indus will be closer to his heart. “I lost my eldest sister to cancer. She had raised me when I was a child and I really miss her,” said Younis in a tone seeped in emotion. “Then I lost my father and my brothers and last year, I lost my nephew to illness which shattered me.

“Today, I can fully comprehend how people who lose their beloved ones feel and in this effort with Indus, I want to rescue as many people as I can,” said the affable Mardan born player.

Younis, however, discreetly avoided questions relating to cricket. “This is not the forum for it. All I want to say is that all is well that ends well and now I have retired from limited over games and will only play Test matches where my aim is to score 10,000 runs,” he said.

Earlier, Professor Bari thanked Younis for entering the deal with Indus and added that the hospital requires expansion in order to provide free and quality treatment to more and more people in the city and the country.

“We started with 150 beds and aim to expand it to 1800 beds,” said Bari. “We are thankful to a legendary player like Younis for giving his consent for the campaign and we hope and know that our dream will be realised soon.”

Bari proudly stated that there is no cash or paperwork involved in the hospital procedures. “We are here to serve people and other than a few departments like neuro surgery, almost all medical problems and illnesses are taken care of at Indus.”

Later, Younis signed a formal MoU with Indus. He then visited the children’s ward along with the hospital staff and spoke to the kids at length which was a great boost for them. Head of Othopaedic and Trauma Prof Amin Chinoy, Makaab CEO Fawad Mustafa and other senior doctors were also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2015