Lahore: Yonus Khan has become only the fifth Pakistani player to play 100 Test matches. Taking the field against Sri Lanka in the second Test match at the P Sara Oval, Pakistan’s middle order maestro joined Javed Miandad, Inzamam ul Haq, Wasim Akram, and Saleem Malik in an exclusive club of Pakistani players who have played hundred or more Test matches.
Incidentally, Khan made his debut against the same opposition back in the year 2000. In an illustrious career so far, Younis has established himself as the undisputed mainstay of Pakistan’s Test side with 8,600 runs in Test cricket. The Team Pakistan manager Naveed Akram Cheema and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq presented Younus with commemorative shields on the ground before the start of the Test match on behalf of PCB and the team respectively.
Appreciating Younus Khan’s services for Pakistan, Chairman PCB Shaharyar M. Khan termed him as one of the best batsmen produced by the country. “Younus has an exemplary work ethic and he has inspired a number of players. His performances are a source of pride for every Pakistani and I would like to congratulate him on this wonderful achievement,” he added.
Chairman Executive Committee Najam Sethi echoed similar sentiments while congratulating Younis. “He is a proven match winner with runs against all top teams and I hope that he continues playing with the same passion,” he said.
Pakistan’s former Test captain Intikhab Alam was all praise for Younus Khan. “Younus Khan has been an excellent ambassador of Pakistan cricket and he deserves a lot of credit for this wonderful achievement,” said Intikhab.
In a special message, fast bowling legend Wasim Akram also congratulated Younus Khan on this occasion. “Playing a 100 Test matches is not an easy job and this just goes to show his quality as an athlete,” added the former Pakistani captain.
Younis is currently placed at number three in the list of Pakistan’s all-time Test run-scorers, behind Javed Miandad and Inzamam ul Haq – another 233 runs stand between him and Javed Miandad’s highest 8,832 runs.