Younis Khan emerges as Pakistan's greatest match winner

Younis celebrates his hundred against Sri Lanka on the fifth day of the 3rd Test match

As Kumar Sangakkara walked back to the pavilion after scoring his first golden duck against subcontinent rivals Pakistan on the 5th day of the 2nd Test match last month, one could not help but realise that sports, like life, proves to be a great leveller.

With speculations rife about his retirement plans (he later confirmed that he would play his last Test match during the course of the series against India next month), Sangakkara, who scored 230 runs in his first innings against Pakistan, way back in 2001, was sent back to the pavilion by Yasir Shah off the first ball he faced, in what was later confirmed as his last series against the Pakistani team.

As all talks ventured around the wicketkeeper, who skipped the third Test match to honour his County Cricket commitments, a silent warrior from the rival team quietly went about his way, notching up 100 appearances for his country in Test cricket, guiding his team to a historic win against the hosts, reinforcing, yet again, why he can be called the best batsman to have been produced in Pakistan.

Younis Khan- the silent crusader

Younis Khan, who made his debut in 2000, entered yet another record book as his valiant knock of 171 in 271 deliveries guided Pakistan to their highest run chase against any Test playing nation. Needing a mammoth 377 runs to script a series win in the Emerald Isle after 9 years, Younis, who shared a record partnership of 242 runs with newcomer Shan Masood, took Pakistan to a memorable win, which catapulted them to the number 3 spot in the ICC Test Rankings.

In an innings which lasted 428 minutes, the Mardan born player displayed his talent, determination and mental resilience, qualities which have come to define him over the last 15 years, to notch up his 30th Test ton, 5 centuries more than the second placed Inzamam-ul-Haq, making one question why he isn’t already counted as one of the continent’s greatest cricketers.

The numbers reveal Younis as one of Pakistan’s greatest batsman

As Sangakkara was playing his last Test match against Pakistan in Colombo. Younis Khan was earmarking his way into the history books by becoming only the 5th player from his country to play 100 Tests – an applaudable feat, considering the limited number of 5-day games Pakistan feature in.

In 101 games, the 37-year-old has scored 8,814 runs at an average of 54.07 and is only 18 runs behind Javed Miandad in the highest run scorer’s list from Pakistan.

Younis is one of the few batsmen in the world, who has more hundreds than fifties to his name (30 centuries, 29 fifties), highlighting his excellent conversion rate in Test cricket, where, on an average, he converts every second 50-plus score into a ton. He has only 2 half centuries as against his 8 centuries since January 2014, including three back to back hundreds against Michael Clarke’s Australia in UAE last October. He became the first cricketer in 90 years to achieve this against the Aussies.

He is also one of the 12 cricketers to have scored a century against all Test playing nations.

Performance in wins and draws

Younis Khan's performances in Test match wins and draws
	Matches (innings)	Runs	Average	100’s	Highest Score
In wins	39 (68)	4142	76.70	16	267
In Draws	26 (41)	2211	58.18	8	313

A great benchmark for all batsmen is how well they perform in matches won by their respective teams, as well as their contributions in guiding their team to a victory.

While Inzamam-ul-Haq is Pakistan’s biggest match winner, with 4690 runs in 49 wins at an average of 78.16, Younis, with 4142 runs in 39 wins, averaging 76.70, ranks a close second.

His knock of 171 earlier today was his 16th Test century in a win, just one behind Inzamam’s 17 centuries in Test wins.

Performance in the 4th innings

Younis Khan’s performances in the 4th innings of a Test Match
	Matches (innings)	Runs	Average	100’s	Highest Score
Overall	39 (33)	1333	60.59	5	171*
In wins	16 (11)	425	141.66	1	171*
In draws	11 (10)	525	75.00	3	131*

Khan’s knock of 171 was his 5th hundred in a fourth innings of a Test match – the most in the history of the format. Over the years, he has emerged as a reliable 4th innings player, with 1333 runs in 33 innings. His average of 60.59 is the highest ever by a batsman in the 4th innings in Test matches, beating the likes of Geoffery Boycott and Sunil Gavaskar.

He averages a staggering 141.66 in the 4th innings whenever Pakistan has emerged victorious, which drops to 75 in drawn games.

Performances at home and away

Younis Khan's runs scored at home and overseas
	Matches (innings)	Runs	Average	100’s	Highest Score
In Pakistan	19 (33)	1898	59.31	7	313
Overseas	82 (147)	6916	53.39	23	267

Runs scored by Younis Khan in different parts of the world
Places	Matches (innings)	Runs	Average	100’s	Highest Score
Subcontinent (sans Pakistan)	59 (104)	4832	51.95	14	267
NZ and Australia	8 (14)	716	55.07	1	149*
England	5 (9)	470	52.22	1	173
South Africa	8 (16)	489	32.60	1	111

Younis Khan has the best away average among all Pakistani batsmen, beating Inzy’s average of 47.85 in 70 games. Contributing consistently in all conditions, he has an impressive average of 88.44 in the matches Pakistan has won abroad.

The underrated gentleman

Besides being one of the most consistent performers for Pakistan, both at home and away, the right-hander is also one of the few cricketers in the modern era who has managed to retain the old world charm of grit, strength and courage in a manner befitting a gentleman, with even Michael Clarke, a leader of one of the most hostile teams, praising his attitude towards the game.

Even after being at odds with the Pakistan Cricket Board for most part of his career, Younis has managed to cast aside all issues when on the field. The untimely deaths of his parents, siblings and relatives have made him a warrior who has emerged stronger every time the forces seemed to have conspired against him.

Knowing the trend in Pakistan, where the real worth of a player is known only after he has walked into the sunset might mean that Younis, despite all his achievements, might have to wait longer for his due credit, but till then he will continue to be the underrated idol who has silently defied all obstacles to emerge as possibly one of Pakistan’s greatest match winners.