Younis Khan: Commitment, honesty define Pakistan's top man
KARACHI: Former Pakistan captains Javed Miandad and Inzamam-ul-Haq praised hard-working and committed Younis Khan who became the country's leading Test run scorer on Tuesday.
Younis, 37, overtook Miandad's tally of 8832 runs made in 124 Tests -- a record which stood for 22 years on the opening day of the first Test against England in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Younis jumped out of his crease and heaved off-spinner Moeen Ali over deep mid-wicket for a big six, crossing Inzamam's 8830 runs and Miandad's aggregate in one stroke.
Younis was finally dismissed for 38 and now has 8852 runs in 102 Tests.
“I am happy that my record is broken by a patriot who plays for the team and for the country,” Miandad told AFP.
“He is a very hard working player who has made his name through his commitment and honesty.”
Miandad added that Younis has always been a good student of the game.
“Younis had played under my coaching and I have always found him a great student of the game who is always willing to learn and always ready to put in a committed effort, which is the hallmark of a great sportsman,” said Miandad.
Miandad said Younis had made good contribution to Pakistan cricket.
“I wish him the best of luck and now he has broken the record I hope he will not stop, and play as well as he has done in the past 15 years,” said Miandad.
Inzamam, who skippered Younis from 2003 to 2007, said Younis was someone who takes pride in his hard work.
“When he came into the team I found that he was not very talented but he overcame that through his hard work,” said Inzamam.
“He has scored runs whenever the team needed them the most and that is the sign of a great team man.”