Younis Khan says Pakistan's Test series in West Indies will be his last
Saturday 8 April 2017 13:10, UK
Younis Khan has joined Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq in announcing his retirement from international cricket.
The 39-year-old, who made his Test debut in 2000, will play one final series against the West Indies before hanging up his bat for good.
Younis said the pressure for him to carry on playing had made his decision a tough one and his form has still been good, including a superb unbeaten 175 against Australia in his most recent outing.
He needs to score 23 runs in the West Indies to pass 10,000 runs in Test cricket and become the first Pakistan player to reach that landmark.
Younis boasts a superb Test average of 53.06 and has scored 34 centuries with a top score of 313 against Sri Lanka in 2009, while his last innings in England saw him pile up 218 at The Kia Oval.
"People are calling me and asking me not to make any announcement to leave but now is the time," Younis said at a press conference in Karachi.
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"A time comes in every player's life when he has to decide and I always tried my best to serve my county with my head high.
"No player always remains fit, the motivation never remains the same, so this is the time when Younis should leave the field after the upcoming series in West Indies.
"This isn't something sudden, this was always building up and a few of my close friends knew it. Although I had a plan to retire after surpassing Javed's [Miandad] runs record, then I was motivated to complete 10,000 runs so I have decided to get them.
"The reason I announced it beforehand was people start asking me for more. Humans can never be satisfied...so I want people to respect my decision and allow me to fulfil my future plans."
Pakistan captain Misbah made his retirement announcement on Thursday and needs 49 runs to pass 5,000 in Test cricket.
The two sides are currently playing a one-day series with the first Test scheduled to get underway on April 21 at Sabina Park in Jamaica.
