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Prolific Pakistani batsman Younus Khan has officially announced his retirement from One-Day International cricket and stated that the first ODI against England in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday would be his last, reports ESPNCricinfo. The 37-year-old brings down curtains on his illustrious career after representing Pakistan for more than 15 years.
"I am really pleased to announce that today I’m retiring from ODI cricket after deliberation with my family, wife, and close friends. I feel satisfied and grateful to almighty for showering numerous blessings on me. It is one of his great blessings that I, by my own will, have taken this decision to retire from ODI cricket after having retired from T20 cricket already," he told reporters.
In 264 ODI matches, Khan has scored 7240 runs and currently stands sixth among the highest run-getters for Pakistan. The former captain has managed to score seven hundred and 48 half-centuries, in his long career. However, his ODI form saw a dip after 2008, when he failed to score runs regularly and was sidelined from the team on many occasions.
He continued to impress one and all in the longest format of the game, scoring runs consistently and even overtaking Javed Miandad’s run tally, to became Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in test cricket. His batting average of 54 in tests is quite remarkable.
The former batsman confessed that it was the right time for him to hang up his boots in ODI cricket and hoped that youngsters would follow his footsteps. "During my 15-year long association with ODI cricket, I always tried my best to play positive cricket for my team both as captain and as a player. But now I feel that the time has come when I should call it a day from one-day cricket. I hope that our young players will exhibit the same passion with which I played my game with strict adherence to discipline and fitness,” he stated.
Younus thanked the PCB and his teammates for their constant encouragement and support and also stated that Pakistan cricket was in good hands.
"I would like to thank the PCB, selection committee and my fellow players who always respected and encouraged me. It is difficult to bid adieu to one-day format, but I believe in being sincere and honest with myself as well as with my profession. Pakistan cricket has a bright future ahead. We have been the champions in this game once and I believe we have all necessary ingredients to become champions once again," Younus said.
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