Younis Khan

Since the advent of the 21st century, a lot about Pakistan and its cricket has changed barring of course - Younis Khan. The Younis Khan on drive is as much as a reality as are death and taxes. His bucket like hands at slips worked on an unreal montony mode, plucking blinders at will. Younis's hop-shuffle across the sticks looked like an exaggeration to the purists but bloated were his numbers as well. His poker face during tense situations was never testimony to his uncanny cricketing grey cells. Cricket is fanatic and frenetic in Pakistan, this man bought a sense of calm. He tried to be the lull amidst the storm, both on and off the field and succeeded to a large extent. Younis walked into retirement in May 2017 after churning out 10,099 runs in 118 Tests. Not to forget more than a half-a-dozen thousand runs in ODIs as well.

The ever-smiling right hander from Mardan, Younis Khan came into the Pakistani side in an ODI game against Sri Lanka in 2000. His Test debut, came in the same series and turned out to be a memorable one, as he scored a fighting century in the second innings, which unfortunately ended in a losing cause. Though he didn't set the world ablaze with his batting over the next few years, Younis managed to remain in the team thanks to his ability to rotate strike and play the role of a sheet anchor in a batting order filled with stroke-makers. He was one of the few players who managed to retain his spot in the squad after a disastrous World Cup in 2003, but lost it soon after following a poor home series against Bangladesh and South Africa. Younis returned to the ODI squad that faced arch rivals India, but struggled to regain his Test spot.

It was in October 2004 that Younis scripted a major turnaround. Chosen to face the visiting Sri Lankans, Younis made the most of the opportunity as he scored a century batting at number 3. He made the spot his own as he emerged the highest run getter in the 0-3 whitewash in Australia soon after. Things became better as Younis was appointed vice- captain for the tour to India. He started slowly but ended the series with a match-winning 267 at Bangalore in the final Test, which helped Pakistan square the series. He took a particular liking to the Indian bowling attack and went on to make 3 more Test centuries against them in the next two years. His average of 106 is the highest for any Pakistani batsmen against India.

Younis first led Pakistan in a disastrous series against the West Indies in 2005, but also had his good times as he captained Pakistan to a win against India in Karachi the next year. However, he created a controversy in September, when he refused to "be a dummy captain" when he was offered the post for the Champions Trophy. However, a day later, he returned to lead the side to a first round exit. Younis was once again offered the post after an embarrassing first round exit from the 2007 World Cup, but refused it citing strain and personal reasons. Despite being a reluctant leader, the post seemed to follow him as the PCB once again made him skipper, replacing Shoaib Malik in January 2009.

This time, Younis accepted the offer and soon after, led Pakistan to a title victory in the 2009 T20 World Cup. However, the musical chairs continued as many senior players revolted against Younis' leadership. He resigned from the post after a series against New Zealand in Sharjah and took a break, only to be called back midway to bolster a struggling line up for the ODI series in Australia. His career seemed to come to an abrupt end when he, along with Mohammad Yousuf, were banned for "infighting" by the PCB in March 2010. However, things became better and Younis returned to the national squad for the series against South Africa in October, 2010. He made a strong return in both forms during the series, including an unbeaten century which helped Pakistan to a draw. He went on to represent Pakistan in the 2011 World Cup, and remains a permanent fixture in both the ODI and Test squads.

After being overlooked for the ODI series against Australia, this is what Younis had to say, "If they say I have no future than I will step aside in all formats don’t pick me even for Tests. I am willing to step aside for five months before the World Cup. let them make a new team but if they don’t succeed than the selectors should be held accountable." However, things changed dramatically and it was Younis himself, who changed things around. He continued playing Tests and kept racking up runs at will. In the 7 Tests that he played since August 2014, against Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand, he amassed 928 runs, which included 5 hundreds and 3 came versus Australia. He also has the most tons by a Pakistan batsman in Tests, going past Inzamam's 25. All these factors contributed in him being recalled to the ODI team, he played the 5-match series against New Zealand and scored his 7th ODI ton in the fourth game. Younis was also named in the 15-man squad for the 2015 World Cup but failed to impress as he managed only 43 runs from 3 games and was dropped mid-way into the tourney. He announced his ODI retirement in November 2015 after having announced his T20I retirement in 2009.

The stat bucket of Younis reads:-

* Only Pakistan player to score 10,000+ Test runs

* 10099 runs & 34 hundreds - both the most for Pakistan in Tests

* Six double hundreds by him is the joint most by a Pakistan player alongside Javed Miandad

* Only player to score Test hundreds in all 11 countries

* One of the two players to average above 45 in all four innings; has 5 hundreds in fourth innings, the most by any.

By Karthik Lakshmanan, Akshay Maanay and Kumar Abhisekh Das