Younis receives hero’s welcome in Karachi

KARACHI: It was the sort of hero’s welcome that is reserved for a chosen few. Younis Khan was on Monday received by numerous cheering fans as he returned home after Pakistan’s victorious tour of the West Indies.

During the tour, Younis became the first Pakistani cricketer to score 10,000 Test runs. He retired after the series which was won by Pakistan 2-1. It was Pakistan’s first ever Test series triumph on Caribbean soil.

Since his retirement, there has been a lot of speculations about Younis’s future. There were some reports which suggested that he could take over as Afghanistan’s coach while others claimed that the former captain wants nothing to do with cricket post retirement.

But on Monday, Younis made it clear that he will continue serving Pakistan cricket in any capacity.“I will continue to promote cricket,” he told reporters after landing in Karachi to a befitting reception.

Younis made it clear that he was willing to accept any responsibility for the benefit of Pakistan cricket.Younis said that he wants to give some time to his family after retirement, and can also step into coaching to serve the sport.

He added that he saw many ups and downs in his career, but he feels proud when people now say that he has left cricket early.Younis declared his 10,000 Test runs milestone more important for the nation than for himself. Apart from this achievement, Younis continued, the happiest moment of his career was when Pakistan won the Twenty20 World Cup under his leadership back in 2009.

He also congratulated Pakistan’s most successful Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq on his wonderful career, and said Misbah also ended it at a very good point.To a question regarding match-fixing, Younis remarked solid planning is required to eradicate this evil. He also laid stress on bringing reforms in PCB as well.

Earlier, Younis was honoured at Lord’s in London, in recognition of his remarkable career.Pakistan’s head coach Mickey Arthur said the work ethics and the way Younis conducts his business was fantastic.“It has been a privilege and an honour to work with a player like Younis Khan,” the he said.

ODI and T20I captain Sarfraz Ahmed said Younis deserved all the applause.“I have played with him in the last couple of years. He has been a thorough professional”, he said.