KARACHI: Former colleagues and cricket stars from around the worldhave hailedYounis Khan's remarkablemilestone of 10,000 runs in Test cricket.
The veteran batsmancompleted 10,000 Test runs on Sunday night during Pakistan’s first innings against the West Indies in the first Test at Jamaica, becoming the first Pakistani to achieve the milestone. He is alsoonly the 13th cricketer to achieve the feat.
Younis' fellow players Fawad Alam and Shoaib Akhtar hailedhim as a role model for youngsters, and expressed hopethat the Pakistan Cricket Board would utilise his wealth of experience in future.
Former fast bowler and “Rawalpindi Express” Shoaib Akhtar said that Younis Khan was built to work for cricket and he has been a real star for Pakistan cricket.
“PCB should utilise Younis Khan’s services after his retirement, he is a star, he has scored 34 centuries for Pakistan. He is built to work for cricket,” Akhtar told Geo.tv in an exclusive chat.
All-rounder Fawad Alam said that he is proud of Younis Khan, who has always been there to help him and other youngsters on and off the field.
“I congratulate Younis Khan on reaching 10,000runs,” Alam said in an exclusive video message sent to Geo.
“We are all proud of you Younis bhai, you have always been very helpful to me and other players every time we sought your help,” said Alam.
Former captain and wicket-keeper batsman Rashid Latif said Younis has a "class of his own" and praised the batsman for accomplishing the feat.
Pakistan Women cricket captain Sana Mir called Younis an "inspiration" for everyone. "We all look up to Younis bhai. He has been an inspiration to all of us. He has personified integrity, patriotism, discipline and strength,” she said.
“May Allah make him more successful in everything he chooses to do in future," Mir added.
Former captain Shahid Afridi took to Twitter to congratulate Younis on breaking the 10,000-run barrier.
"Congratulations Younis Khan on your incredible 10K achievement. Hope you have an amazing farewell series, pile on the runs!" Afridi tweeted.
Mohammad Hafeez lauded the achievement by tweeting:
"Your grit, determination & love for Pakistan made it possible," said Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq.
Tributes and felicitations also poured in from different corners of the world, as cricket stars from other countries praised Younis for achieving the feat.
Younis reached the landmark with 23rd run of his innings in the ongoing Test against West Indies, which is also the last series of his career, making his signing off from international career even more memorable.
Read more: Younis confirms his retirement decision is final
Along with 10,000 runs in Test cricket, Younis also holds the record of most Test centuries (34) scored by any Pakistani batsman. He is also the only batsman in the world to score a century in 11 different countries, including the UAE.