Pakistan’s most successful Test batsman, Younis Khan, is joining Misbah-ul-Haq in retiring from international cricket at the conclusion of the upcoming three-Test series against the West Indies.
“No player always remains fit, the motivation never remains the same, so this is the time when Younis should leave the field,” the 39-year-old Younis said.
“A time comes in every player’s life when he has to decide and I always tried my best to serve my country with my head high.”
Younis needs only 23 runs to become Pakistan’s first ever cricketer to complete 10,000 Test runs and is almost certain to reach this mark against West Indies.
He has played 115 Test matches and scored 9,977 runs with an impressive average of 53.06 and 34 centuries.
Younis said his decision was not made suddenly and close friends have known for some time.
He had thought about quitting Test cricket when he surpassed Javed Miandad’s record of 8,832, but was then motivated to complete 10,000.
“(Fans) could then ask me to take 11,000 or 12,000,” said Younis, who made his test debut in 2000.
“Humans can never be satisfied but I am not in an age to make that far, so I want people to respect my decision and allow me to fulfill my future plans.”
Pakistan won the World Twenty20 title under Younis’ captaincy before he stopped playing in the shortest format of the game. He also scored 7,249 runs in 265 ODIs with seven centuries before quitting in 2015.
Peter
Roar Rookie
Great player. Doesn't get enough props.
Big Daddy
Guest
This us one guy who can hold his head up. Hope he gets his 10000 - will be sorely missed.
Dizzy Tangles
Guest
We now have teams full of players born in the iGeneration. Told they were perfect from age dot and gone from spoiled brat to a cricket player with a million dollar contract over- night. Younis was one of the last players born in an era when cricket players had no guarantee they could make a career out of it but played anyway. The standard of cricket today is a reflection of this. Every player interviewed says the same thing and matches are just as predictable
Brasstax
Guest
Looks like Pakistan are going to spiral down like SL very soon. There may be soon only 5 quality test cricket teams namely Australia, India, England, SA and NZ with only one team, SA, being able to win away. I have been following/watching cricket since 1990 and I can safely say the present time is the lowest quality that I have seen international cricket in that time.