Younis deserves record: Sallu

KARACHI: Former chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu feels that Younis Khan is a top class batsman and deserves to break Pakistan’s Test top scorer record, which legendary Javed Mianad holds at the moment.
Younis, the prolific middle-order batsman, requires only 19 runs to surpass Miandad’s tally of 8,832 runs. Miandad reached this milestone in 124 matches. Younis is expected to reach the record in his 102nd Test, which begins on Tuesday against England in Abu Dhabi.
“Miandad was a great batsman and a legendary cricketer. However, Younis is also a great batter and has played very good cricket in very difficult situations,” Sallu told PPI.
Sallu said that Miandad faced very difficult bowlers during his career when West Indian pacers were at their peak. He added that there were lesser restrictions for the bowlers and pitches were also difficult.
“But Younis has faced troubles of his own times. He faced quality spin. If one makes critical analysis, then there were very good players in the team during Miandad’s era. Quality players in the team help boost confidence of an individual player. But Younis sometimes almost singlehandedly lifted the pressure of having a weak batting line. So Younis’ achievement also cannot be undermined. Both Younis and Miandad would be remembered as legends in Pakistan cricket,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Sallu said Pakistan face a big setback as rising spinner Yasir Shah might miss the first Test because of injury.