Abu Dhabi: Having scored a stunning ton recovering from dengue fever, Pakistan veteran batsman Younis Khan, who tops the all-time list of batsmen who have handled the nervous nineties well, said he has coped with the 90s fear better than Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar.
“There is no secret as such and only once in Auckland against New Zealand that I have got out in 90s. If you see Sachin Tendulkar has got out in nervous nineties several times. Especially, when Sachin was heading towards his 100th hundred,” said Younis, who has 31 consecutive hundreds to his name without being dismissed on the nervous 90s stand above Australian legend Don Bradman (29 hundreds).
“Thankfully I wasn’t tested that much I can say when I’m in the 90s or Allah’s blessings has been with me,” added Younis, who felt that his success rate has been high because he doesn’t think too much to get those remain runs for the milestone quickly.
“In the past when I was in the 90s once at the Oval the new ball was taken and I held my nerves well and told myself if not today, tomorrow it will happen. You only make mistakes when you go after runs and try to achieve that landmark. I keep it simple — if it happens it happens and that thinking of not rushing for the runs and that brings the runs to me,” revealed Younis, who added that it was a testing time for him after being down with dengue and missing Pakistan’s 400th Test and first pink ball match.
“Normally after dengue you don’t have that much strength but I managed to regain. I had not energy to play in the first Test as I didn’t have any strength and I told the board. They accepted my decision and I got enough rest and probably had I rushed into it I wouldn’t have managed this success. Also all credit to Liaqaat National Hospital as there I got good care,” said Younis, who lost around six kilos following the fever.
“The last 10 days I was doing my preparations. I felt a little bit rusty as my last game was August 14 so it was almost two months. I’m trying to regain the weight that I lost. I played some club matches on cement wickets and that helped. It was hot out there and those matches helped me coming into this match,” added Younis, who also set the 15th 100-run partnership in 49 innings with skipper Misbah-Ul-Haq during his stay at the crease.
“The reason for our success maybe because we are seniors and we know we have the responsibility to carry the team. That’s why whenever I and Misbah play together we want do well. We are well aware of the responsibility and the mental preparations of both of us are positive,” said Younis, adding that a 400-plus total will put his team in a good winning position.
