Younis gets hero’s welcome in Karachi, vows to continue promoting cricket

KARACHI: Former Test cricketer Younis Khan received a hero's welcome when he reached the city's Jinnah International Airport on Monday.

Talking to the media upon his arrival, Younis said his retirement did not mean he would leave the sport. 

"I will continue to promote and serve cricket," he said.

To a question about whether he would be interested in joining politics after hanging up his boots, the veteran said he had no such intentions.

"I just want to continue serving humanity in whichever capacity I can. I want to live and die like Abdul Sattar Edhi," Younis remarked.

Before arriving in Karachi, Younis was in Lahore after returning from the United Kingdom, where he was honoured in recognition of his remarkable career at the historic Lord's Cricket Ground in London. 

Younis bid adieu to international cricket alongside captain Misbah-ul-Haq in the last Test against the West Indies earlier this month. The match was nothing less than a fairytale farewell for the legendary duo, as Pakistan secured a historic series win in the Caribbean.

Discussing Younis' legacy earlier this month, head coach Mickey Arthur had said the work ethic and the way Younis went about his business was fantastic.

“It has been a privilege and an honour to work with a player like Younis Khan,” the coach had said.

ODI and T20I captain Sarfraz Ahmed had said Younis deserved all the applause.

“I have played with him in the last couple of years. He has been a thorough professional”, he had said.

The recently concluded three-match series against West Indies saw the end of Younis' international career. He bid adieu to his career with 10,099 runs – the most by any Pakistan player in the history of Test cricket.