Younis Khan Proves Old is Gold as ex-Pakistan Captain Erases Miandad's Record
Younis Khan snubbed critics with a match-winning effort as Pakistan registered their first Test series win in Sri Lanka since 2006.
Younis Khan laid the coup de grace as Pakistan scored a record-equalling and historic series Test win against Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Tuesday. In a series where he played his 100th Test, Younis' undefeated 171 was the cornerstone of a comprehensive seven-wicket triumph that helped Pakistan win the series 2-1. (PCB chairman hails historic series win)
Younis' 171 not out is his highest score in the fourth innings in Tests, surpassing the 131 not out versus South Africa at Dubai in November 2010. This innings has proved that Younis, pushing 38 years, still has a future in Pakistan cricket. (Younis Khan not stopping at 100 Tests)
Pakistan's young Test squad clearly profited from Younis' presence. His 171 not out was the highest individual score by a Pakistani batsman in the fourth innings. It was the fifth highest overall in the fourth innings -- the highest being Gordon Greenidge's 214 not out for West Indies versus England at Lord's in June 1984. (Pakistan jump to third spot in rankings)
En route, former captain Younis set a Pakistani record of posting 11 innings of 150 or more in Tests, surpassing Javed Miandad's tally of 10.
Other highlights:
Younis is averaging 76.70 in a winning cause in Tests -- his tally being 4142 in 68 innings, including 16 hundreds and 12 fifties.
# Younis' second Man of the Match award vs Sri Lanka is his ninth in Tests.
# In the fourth innings in Tests, Younis is averaging 60-plus -- his tally being 1333 at an average of 60.59 in 33 innings, including five hundreds and five fifties.
# Opener Shan Masood and Younis have provided the second instance when two Pakistani batsmen have registered hundreds in the fourth innings of a Test match - the first being vs New Zealand (Mudassar Nazar 106 and Miandad 103 not out at Hyderabad in November 1984).
# The 242-run stand between Masood and Younis for the third wicket is the highest fourth Innings third-wicket partnerships in Tests. It is the sixth highest partnership for any wicket in the fourth innings in Tests. The said partnership is the fourth highest in successful chase in the fourth innings of a Test match.
# The above partnership is the highest for Pakistan (and the highest against Sri Lanka in the fourth innings) in the fourth innings in Tests.
(With inputs from Rajesh Kumar)