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29 March 2024

Younis targets 10,000 Test runs after breaking Miandad milestone

Pakistan's Younis Khan in action during the First Test Pakistan v England at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - 13/10/15. (Action Images via Reuters)

Published
By Agencies

Younis Khan wants to become the first Pakistan player to score 10,000 Test runs after surpassing Javed Miandad's 22-year record mark during the first test with England in Abu Dhabi.

The 37-year-old dispatched Moeen Ali over midwicket for a huge six to beat Miandad's 8,832-run milestone.

"It was a good target for me when I was around 8,000 runs, to think if I push myself, I can reach Javed and pass him," Younis told reporters after the first day's play, where Pakistan closed on 286-4.

"So that was my mission which kept me alive. At the moment, my wish is to become the first (from) Pakistan to reach 10,000 runs for his country."

Younis, who was eventually out for 38 on Tuesday, claimed the record in his 102nd Test match, 22 fewer than Miandad took to set the marker.

While the cheer as the ball sailed over the ropes might have been more subdued in the United Arab Emirates than if it had happened in Karachi or Rawalpindi - where Younis started his test career with a second-innings century against Sri Lanka - his achievements are no less striking.

"The number of records he has set in the recent past is something we as a nation can take great pride in," said Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan, noting he was the only Pakistan batsman to score a century against all Test-playing nations.

In total, he has 30 test hundreds as well as 29 half-centuries, with a best of 313 set in 2009 against Sri Lanka. 

Captains

Former Pakistan captains Javed Miandad and Inzamam-ul-Haq praised hard-working and committed Younis Khan who became the country's leading Test run scorer on Tuesday.

"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."