Pakistan's Younis breaks Don Bradman's record in UAE Test

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Pakistans Younis breaks Don Bradmans record in UAE Test
Pakistan's Younis Khan celebrates his century against the West Indies. (AFP)

Abu Dhabi - Younis now holds a new record in Test cricket; hit 127 on the first day of second Test against West Indies in Abu Dhabi.

By Ashwani Kumar

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Published: Sat 22 Oct 2016, 9:16 PM

Last updated: Sun 23 Oct 2016, 2:11 PM

Younis Khan has shown incredible determination to bang his 33rd Test century and that too when returning from dengue fever. He hit 127 on the first day of second Test match against West Indies at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium on Friday. 
Younis now holds the record for 30 consecutive tons without being dismissed in the 90s. He eclipsed Sir Donald Bradman's record of 29 centuries.
"I got out once in 2001 against New Zealand in Auckland. If you look at Sachin Tendulkar, he has fallen in the 90s on many occasions. I try to play normally and don't search for runs as it leads to mistakes. If I score the needed runs it fine but I don't push for it," said the Pathan from Mardan district of Pakistan.

This is also his 11th century in the UAE.
And he has scored 13 centuries after turning 35. He will turn 39 next month and getting better.
He had missed Dubai day-night pink ball Test as he hadn't fully recovered.
"I didn't want to push myself and thankfully the Pakistan cricket Board agreed to give me rest for the first Test," he said referring to missing Pakistan's 400th Test in Dubai. "Even now I feel a bit rusty. My last game was almost two months back. I have lost 6-7kg," Younis said at the Press conference.
He thanked his hospital care for speedy recovery.
On preparations to get match fit, he said: "I practised on cement pitches in Pakistan and played some club matches."
On Friday, he was involved in 175-run fourth wicket partnership with skipper Misbah ul Haq.
"We are seniors and have responsibility to perform. We know what kind of score is needed. I enjoy playing with Misbah. There is no secret to success but mental preparedness."
He said Pakistan will need at least 400. "This pitch is slow with no cracks. There is little turn. We will need more runs on the board, maybe 400."
Meanwhile, West Indies batting coach Toby Radford hailed Younis Khan.
"Younis is a 'top-class player for many years," he said.
On the dropped catches, he said: "It's very frustrating. After the two early wickets there was that big partnership. If we had picked them it would have been a different score. It could have been 280 for six rather than 304 for four. So, it was disappointing. We must take our chances."
Radford said he was very pleased with the way Shannon Gabriel bowled.
"It's the best I have seen him bowl. He had good pace and was very aggressive. It was a perfect day for him."
Looking ahead to the second day, he said: "We have taken the second new ball. We will try to get early wickets and run into the lower-order. We don't want a score building up like it did in Dubai last week."
He said the team lacked experience. "Pakistani players have played all over the world. But we have shown little fight and Darren Bravo's two innings in Dubai were world-class. We are capable of those kind of performances but need to be consistent."
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com


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