Younis becomes Pakistan top scorer in test cricket

ABU DHABI: Younis Khan became Pakistan's all-time leading Test run-scorer, surpassing the great Javed Miandad's tally of 8832 runs on the opening day of the first Test against England in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

Younis set the new mark when he reached 20 with a huge six off spinner Moeen Ali, crossing Miandad and Inzamam-ul-Haq´s tally in one stroke.

The blow was greeted with cheers from the few Pakistan fans in the sparse crowd and a standing ovation from the Pakistan dressing room.

He achieved the milestone in his 102nd Test.

Miandad´s aggregate had stood for 22 years as Inzamam-ul-Haq fell two runs short of equalling the tally in his last Test, against South Africa in 2007.

Inzamam finished with 8830 runs in 120 Tests.

India´s Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for most Test runs, with 15,921 in a record 200 matches.

"It’s a great honour to cross Miandad’s record, which I had never thought I would be able to do," said Younis.

"It was like a wall for me," said Younis of Miandad’s tally of runs. "I was a bit nervous today so that’s why I pushed myself."

Asked why he did not celebrate the occasion on the pitch, Younis said he wanted to focus on his innings as Pakistan made 286-4 at close on the opening day.

"I thought the focus should be on my innings because the team needed runs from me so I put my concentration back after reaching the record," he said.

Former cricketer and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan tweeted:

Congratulations to Younus Khan for breaking Miandad's 22-year record of 8832 runs & becoming Pakistan's highest run getter. Well done indeed

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 13, 2015

PCB chairman felicitates Younis

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shahryar Khan was all appreciation for Younis Khan’s yeoman’s service to Pakistan cricket and spoke highly of his prolific career.

“Younis Khan has been an excellent ambassador of Pakistan cricket. The number of records he has set in the recent past is something we as a nation can take great pride in.

“He is the only Pakistan batsman to score centuries against every Test playing nation. The feat he achieved against Australia last year -- scoring over 700 runs in a space of just 30 days was no mean achievement.

“I congratulate him on rewriting the record book in becoming the highest run-getter for Pakistan. It was a mountain that none had been able to climb since Javed Miandad played his last innings in December 1993.

“I know that he shall, to the delight of Pakistani cricket aficionados, continue to serve Pakistan cricket in his own inimitable style”, concluded Shahryar Khan.

Najam Sethi also showers congratulations

Chairman, Executive Committee, Najam Sethi voiced similar sentiments saying, “Younis Khan has been the leading batsman, along with Misbah-ul-Haq, behind Pakistan’s rise in Test cricket.”

“He is the reason behind Pakistan being the best Asian team in the ICC Test Rankings. The fact that he is world’s only batsman to score five centuries in the fourth innings of the Tests vindicates the notion that he has always performed under pressure. The innings in Palekelle was epitome of his brilliance. I also congratulate him on completing 15,000 runs and 50 hundreds in first class cricket.”

Miandad, Inzamam hail record-breaking

Former Pakistan captains Javed Miandad and Inzamam-ul-Haq praised hard-working and committed Younis Khan.

"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 is 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."