Younis Khan: Player Profile of Pakistan’s Leading Test Run-Scorer

Early life and rise

Younis Khan was born in 1977 in Mardan, in the north-west of Pakistan. He made his international debut in 2000 and, after a rapid rise through domestic cricket, built a long career as the backbone of Pakistan’s batting order.

Playing style

Younis was an unorthodox but extremely effective right-handed batter. He was not a classical stylist, yet he combined a busy, scrambling approach with great determination, and scored heavily on all kinds of pitches. His determination at the crease and his ability to play long innings made him a key figure in difficult situations.

Career highlights

Younis played 118 Tests and scored 10,099 runs, including 34 centuries, as of the end of 2024. He was the first Pakistani to pass 10,000 Test runs. He also scored a Test century against every other Test-playing nation, a rare feat.

One of his best-known innings was 313 against Sri Lanka in Karachi in 2009. In 2017 he scored 218 at The Oval as Pakistan won a Test against England, a notable performance late in his career.

As captain, he led Pakistan to victory in the 2009 World T20 in England, a major triumph for a team that had endured a turbulent period. He retired from international cricket in 2017.

Legacy

Younis Khan is remembered as the leading Test run-scorer in Pakistan’s history and an inspirational figure for the national team. His career showed that application and resilience could be as valuable as style, and his record against all opponents underlined his adaptability. After retiring he moved into coaching and mentoring, passing on his experience to younger players.

Frequently asked questions

How many Test runs did Younis Khan score?

He scored 10,099 runs in 118 Tests, as of the end of 2024.

What did Younis Khan achieve as captain?

He captained Pakistan to the 2009 World T20 title in England.

When did Younis Khan retire?

He retired from international cricket in 2017.