‘Testing times are ahead’

Younus Khan is very particular about some things; like the spelling of his name and where his priorities lie in cricket — the Test matches

GWALIOR: Two things Mohammad Younus Khan is very particular about — being punctual and how his name is spelt.

On punctuality — There was a dinner hosted by Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia, Maharaja of the erstwhile princely state of Gwalior, for the India and Pakistan team members at the Jai Vilas Palace on Tuesday evening.

The Pakistan vice captain was first one out of his room at the Usha Kiran Palace (former home of the Royal family, now converted into a luxury hotel) impeccably turned out, which gave one ample time for a chat with him before the other members gathered.

About his name — Younus insists that it is spelt with ‘u’ and not an ‘i’ (Younis). So when asked for his email address, the right-hand batsman insisted that he write it down himself, and then highlighted the ‘u’ a few times.

Little things these, but they tell you a lot about the man who should have been king, instead of playing vice-captain to a much more demure Shoaib Malik.

That Younus should have been captain of Pakistan, is seconded by Imran Khan, the best and most authoritative leader Pakistan has ever had.

But then, Younus knew it’s his bat that Pakistan needs more than his leadership.

Managing the bunch of eccentrics that makes a Pakistan team, is fraught with high drama, something Younus wants to keep away from, at least for a while.

And knowing his penchant for courting controversies, one sees it as a wise decision.
“I am enjoying my form and I am batting well. Hope it continues like this. This is the way it works for me,” he says.

With the holy trinity of Pakistan middle order (Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan) being broken with the retirement of Inzy, the onus is on the two ‘capital Ys’ to provide the solidity that their mercurial lineup needs.

Nobody knows this better than Younus himself, even though he humbly plays down the threat he and Yousuf are to the Indian side, more so in the upcoming Test series.

“I don’t know about the threat. Each one of us tries to do the best we can,” he says and then as if as a warning, adds,

“Besides in one dayers and Twenty 20, a player’s mettle is not really tested as much. It’s the Test matches that are the real deal. I am really looking forward to bating in the Tests against India. Hope my form is just as good.”

While the cricket between the two sides is always exciting, Younus says he doesn’t particularly like playing in India and Pakistan as much as touring other countries.

“It’s just that because of the status of cricket in these two countries, the pressure is immense. Besides, when we travel to India, the security is so tight, that we cannot go out and enjoy the place.

“Here in Gwalior, there are so many places to see, but we eventually end up being confined to our rooms. In tours abroad, the atmosphere is relaxed. So, I enjoy that.”
The pathan from Peshwar says cricket is something that came naturally to him.

“Like it does to every youngster in India and Pakistan. Me, my brother, we just played cricket while growing up. My brothers played till about university and club level. I managed to play for Pakistan, which is a huge honour.”

Then, as the time approaches for the dinner with the royals, Younus takes his leave politely, saying ‘shukriya’, a smile glinting through is light green eyes. Bowlers be warned, the pathan oozes grit.