Pakistan superstar batsman Younis Khan has promised to surpass legendary batsman Javed Miandad’s Test runs record, but refuses to be considered the equal of a man he describes as a “legend and an idol”.
Former skipper is just 19 runs away from becoming the highest runs scorer for Pakistan. Javed Miandad during an illustrious career which stretched from 1976 to 1993 made 8,832 runs in 124 matches.
Younis has so far scored 8,814 runs in 101 Tests, with a Pakistan record of 30 centuries.
“It would be great to achieve the record. I never thought I would do it at the start of my career,” said Younis.
“Passing Miandad would be great but I am in no way close to the great man who is a legend of Pakistan cricket.”
Like Miandad, Younis hit a tone on debut which came against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi in 2000.
Last year, he plundered 468 runs in the 2-0 win over Australia, Pakistan’s first Test series victory over the Australians in 20 years.
“This is an important series for us so I want to do my best for the team and for the country.”
The veteran batsman is in great nick, having smashed a brilliant undefeated 171 in Pakistan’s last Test against Sri Lanka at Pallekele in July. That helped Pakistan chase down their highest target of 377 to win a Test. His score was the highest in the fourth innings of a Test by a Pakistani batsman.
That century was also Younis’s fifth in a fourth innings of a Test — a new record in the history of the game.
India’s Sunil Gavaskar, Australia’s Ricky Ponting, Ramnaresh Sarwan of the West Indies and South African Graeme Smith all scored four each.
