Younis Khan Not Stopping at 100 Tests; Age No Bar, Pakistan Legend Wants More

Fifteen years after making a heroic debut hundred against Sri Lanka, Younis Khan became the fifth Pakistani and 62nd cricketer to play a 100 Test matches. The landmark came against the same opponents and the 37-year-old, who had watched his countrymen Javed Miandad, Salim Malik, Wasim Akram and Inzaman-ul-Haq achieve the feat before him.

Younis, now an ageing star, often haunted by injuries, managed only 6 as Pakistan were bundled out for 138 on the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

The former skipper has otherwise been in terrific form, slamming five hundreds in his last 15 Test innings. Younis was sensational in Pakistan's 2-0 series win over Australia in the UAE, amassing 468 runs, including three back-to-back hundreds in October.

Not surprisingly, Younis feels he still has a lot more to achieve at an age when most players contemplate retirement.

"I believe I still have a lot to achieve and there is a lot to do in life. But I managed to get to 100 Tests, which is a big honour. A country like Pakistan, where the number of matches is fewer compared to other parts of the world, even Javed Miandad took about 18 years to play 124," Younis told ESPNcricinfo.

"For me it has taken 15 years to get to 100. During all those years I did face a lot of difficulties but I motivated myself, worked on my fitness and kept myself in the game. This is how I managed to stretch myself to get here."

Younis had almost disappeared into oblivion between 2009 and 2010, when he became one of four players to be banned from selection indefinitely after a disastrous tour of Australia. However, he resolved his issues and came back strongly to now average over 53. That is class.

But he has no regrets over missing out on almost a year of international cricket and said the break helped him tighten his game. However, Younis does have a regret.

One of Pakistan's greatest batsmen ever, Younis, has had to play a significant part of his matches away from home. After the terror attacks on the Sri Lankan bus in 2009, international teams refused to play in Pakistan.

Consequently, the sub-continental giants were confined to play their 'home matches' in the middle-east, where Younis churned out some batting masterclasses in front of empty stands. That has left the veteran feeling "incomplete."

"For the last few years now we have been forced to play away from home in the UAE, where people don't have time to watch Test matches. They are mostly there for work and their routine doesn't allow them to come and watch cricket in the stadium.

"Playing in front of an empty stadium is dissatisfying. When you don't have the acknowledgement of the crowd, it makes you feel incomplete and it's tough to motivate yourself."

Younis admits he misses the days when friends and family would pack the grounds in Pakistan to see their man destroy the best bowling attacks in the world. But as things stand, it Younis may never play another Test at home, where he is loved and adored for his accomplishments.