In a sharp burst of anger upon being dropped, unjustifiably in his view, from Pakistan's One Day International (ODI) team, Younis Khan declared himself unavailable for Test cricket duties. But then time passed. Time has a way of realigning perspective, and the batsman reconsidered and accepted selection for the Tests against Australia. He would have been happy, overjoyed even, that he changed his mind.
His country would have been happy too, for Pakistan's cricket is not awash with batting talent, and it is doubtful there is another batsman available that could play with the kind of discipline, skill, and stamina that Younis was able to summon. The two hundreds he struck in the game spurred his side to a winning position against the very formidable Australians, and sent him past Inzamam-ul-Haq as the Pakistani player with the most test hundreds 26.
Younis has done great work for Pakistan. The more difficult the scrap, the darker the corner his side is forced into, the greater the likelihood that he will lead a stirring fightback. In that regard he resembles a stripped down version of VVS Laxman; VVS with less lubricated wrists and less of the lordly elegance; but there is same sturdy resolve in a crisis and an unmistakable stamp of class.
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