ABU DHABI: Younis Khan became Pakistan's all-time leading Test run-scorer, surpassing the great Javed Miandad's tally of 8832 runs on the opening day of the first Test against England in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Younis set the new mark when he reached 20 with a huge six off spinner Moeen Ali, crossing Miandad and Inzamam-ul-Haq´s tally in one stroke.
The blow was greeted with cheers from the few Pakistan fans in the sparse crowd and a standing ovation from the Pakistan dressing room.
He achieved the milestone in his 102nd Test.
Miandad´s aggregate had stood for 22 years as Inzamam-ul-Haq fell two runs short of equalling the tally in his last Test, against South Africa in 2007.
Inzamam finished with 8830 runs in 120 Tests.
India´s Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for most Test runs, with 15,921 in a record 200 matches.
"It’s a great honour to cross Miandad’s record, which I had never thought I would be able to do," said Younis.
"It was like a wall for me," said Younis of Miandad’s tally of runs. "I was a bit nervous today so that’s why I pushed myself."
Asked why he did not celebrate the occasion on the pitch, Younis said he wanted to focus on his innings as Pakistan made 286-4 at close on the opening day.
"I thought the focus should be on my innings because the team needed runs from me so I put my concentration back after reaching the record," he said.
Former cricketer and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan tweeted:
Congratulations to Younus Khan for breaking Miandad's 22-year record of 8832 runs & becoming Pakistan's highest run getter. Well done indeed
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 13, 2015
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