In the gloom of scathing criticism of the game and its officials, at times unjustified too, the match saving triple century by Pakistan captain Younis Khan at Karachi against Sri Lanka comes as the shining light. A type of performance which, in fact, rekindles the spirit of the game and its aspirations at a time when Pakistan cricket and its players` rating was fast plummeting down to the ground.

Saving a game when a team is faced with a massive first innings total has seldom been a piece of cake, whether you are batting on a featherbed like the one at Karachi or for that matter on a sticky wicket at Brisbane.

The Pakistan captain`s vigil at the crease for just over thirteen hours for his 313, for its sheer value, could easily be rated as one of the best among the 23 triple centuries made in 132 years of Test history. It is tough to make a hundred in any class of cricket; to score not one but three in an innings is even greater achievement against the likes of Mutiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas and Ajanta Mendis.

If self preservation was in his mental make-up, he could easily had sent a night-watchman at the fall of Pakistan`s first wicket but Younis proved by example that he is not one of them who believes in pusillanimous decision as he walked out in the middle to take charge and make sure that Pakistan emerge out of the mire with dignity.

He achieved then what he preached right from the start, to be positive, and with the help of some bright contributions from Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal and Yasar Arafat took the team to a commanding position

Long innings like Younis` therefore are not possible without such backing. I am lucky to have seen seven triple centuries in Tests, two as a spectator when the Australian Bobby Simpson made 311 at Old Trafford in 1964 and John Edrich scored an unbeaten 310 at Headingley against the Kiwis. Later, as a journalist, I reported Graham Gooch`s 333 against India at Lord`s in 1990 and four here at home, that of Mark Taylor (334) at Peshawar in 1998, Inzamam-ul-Haq (329) at Lahore in 2002, Indian Verindar Sehwag`s (309) at Multan in 2004 and now Younis` epic at Karachi.

I hear a lot about Sanath Jayasuriya`s 340 against India and Mahela Jayawardene`s 374 against South Africa. Must have been great effort by all standards. But really, what is most fascinating to me is Sir Don Bradman`s 309 in a day at Headingley in 1930. On my first visit to Australia I dared to ask the Don about it but he was too humble a man to talk about himself.

The other feat which really comes to mind is that of our own `Little Master` Hanif Mohammad who saved

Pakistan in a six-day Test - the first official Test against the West Indies at Bridgetown, Barbados - by scoring 337 in a 970 minutes stay the crease. It was a monumental effort, batting without a helmet and thigh guard in the scorching heat of Barbados.

His feat was very similar to Younis. Having followed on 473 runs behind, Hanif batted for more than three and a half days facing Roy Gilchrist, the fastest of all bowlers then, and the brothers Denis and Eric Atkinson and Dewdney.

Gilchrist was not only fast but also a crank and everyone who played him feared him for his unpredictability. He was once sent back home from India for violating the code of conduct. When playing in Ranji Trophy at Eden Garden, one opposition opening batsman after having faced his first three deliveries, tucked his bat under the arm to walk back to the pavilion. He was so scared after those menacing deliveries that he declared himself out.

Around Moss side near Old Trafford, where he lived, playing in the Lancashire league he allegedly injured his wife with a hot iron and spent some time behind bars.

Hanif, when playing in Lancashire league, once invited him to taste his Pakistani cooking. After he finished his meal he said to Hanif “Thanks for the meal. But if you think I will not bowl bouncers at you, forget it.” Hanif was embarrassed.

In fact when Hanif managed to survive, he did realize that if not for his quick reflexes Glichrist could have decapitated him with a vicious bouncer during his triple hundred. By his own admission, Hanif says he was too scared for a while after that delivery while facing the fast men.

I caught up with Gilchrist at the Sabina Park in Jamaica on one of Pakistan`s tour. He was the same height as Waqar Younis but with a rather extra ordinary pair of arms which touched his knees.

As his colleague in the commentary box, I asked him about Hanif`s innings. And what he said was most pleasing. “I have never bowled against a better batsman than him. He was a rock man, a rock.”

In 1957-58 the Kensigton Oval at Barbados there was trees around the ground and those who could not afford would sit on branches of the trees to watch the match. One young man watching Hanif`s epic innings dozed off and fell from the tree to break his arm. News touched the heart of the batsman at the crease and Hanif invited him to the ground the next day to be the team`s guest and watch him bat again for another day and a half.

I have no idea who might have been Younis`s guest at the National Stadium, there are no trees around it only a concrete jungle. But like all centurions he too had a standing ovation and a deserving one too. For their deeds history will always remember them, no doubt.