Dubai: Younis Khan says he is proud at becoming the first Pakistan batsman to score centuries against all Test-playing nations, while also equalling Inzamam-ul-Haq’s Pakistan record of 25th Test tons.
The veteran batsman defied Australia for more than five hours to score 106 on the first day of the first Test at Dubai International Stadium here on Wednesday. His effort helped Pakistan reach 219 for four at stumps after being in trouble at seven for two.
Afterwards Younis said: “When you play with your heart, things go your way and I am proud to be the first Pakistani to score hundreds against all countries and to equal the great Inzamam’s record.”
The 36-year-old batsman, who was ignored for the preceding one-day series, said: “It has never been easy for me throughout my career. I go out and play positive cricket with positive body language and it was in my mind that, if I do something here, then I will be a proud Pakistani. I play for my country with my heart when my team needs me.
“When I equalled [Mohammad] Yousuf’s record [of 24 centuries], then it came to my mind that I have no hundreds against Australia. By equalling the great Inzamam’s record, it is even more of an honour to be equal with him. Back home my friends and family were telling me I have no hundred against Australia and so they told me that if I could do it I can create history. So all credit goes to my friends and family.”
Younis reached his century with a six off Nathan Lyon and, when asked what prompted him to do it, he said: “It’s always like a mind game. [Australia captain Michael] Clarke was playing mind games with the batsmen and suddenly he gave the spinners the ball. I missed an easy ball and Clarke laughed and then all the fielders came close, hoping that I may make a mistake. I saw there was no one at mid-on and I middled the ball and I was lucky it went over the boundary.”
Was the six also a reminder that he is a good one-day batsman? A smiling Khan said: “My body is good and I feel good so whenever I have a chance I will be in the ODI team.”
He added: “It was very tough, for both me and Azhar [Ali]. We were two down and at that time the situation was not easy, so we were talking to each other to be focused and stay on the pitch. Clarke was doing a lot of things, changing the field, changing the angles and making every bowler fresh by giving breaks. So I think it wasn’t easy, but when you play with your heart and according to the situation, things come good for you.
“If we manage to score 400-plus, we can put Australia under pressure. But it’s not going to be easy because they have bowled well, especially [Mitchell] Johnson.”
