The Real King Khan - Younis Khan!

Younis Khan is the first Pakistan batsman to score over 1,000 runs in 4th innings of tests. He also has the the best average among all test batsmen that have scored over 1,000 4th innings test runs, and the second best 4th innings average ever (only Bradman’s is higher). #TheRealKingKhan

The last time I wrote about Younis Khan was 4 months ago when he had just knocked up a century against England in Dubai. It was a fantastic innings, and right after that I wrote a post titled “Why Younis Khan is King“.

In that post, I highlighted how well (rather better) Younis Khan compares with the batsmen who are popularly referred to as the ‘modern greats’ of the test arena. What I didn’t touch upon in that post was the area where Younis Khan really does reign supreme – The 4th Innings of a Test Match!

Thanks to Mahela Jayawardena’s mind boggling decision to not enforce the follow on, Younis Khan got another opportunity to show the world what he is capable of in the 4th innings of a test.

Even though he didn’t save the test match for Pakistan (which was never really on the cards given the amount of runs and overs they were up against), Younis Khan did play a splendid knock and in the process became the first ever Pakistan batsman (and 21st overall) to cross 1,000 4th innings test runs.

Achievement?

Definitely.

But there is a bigger achievement.

Younis Khan has the best average among all the test batsmen that have scored over a 1,000 4th innings runs.

Over the years, Younis Khan has been so efficient in 4th innings of a test match (more often than not he saves the game for Pakistan) that he has the second best 4th innings average ever among all test batsmen. Only the great Sir Donald Bradman is above him.

Unfortunately, Younis fell 13 runs short of his 21st test century today against Sri Lanka, but had he got there, he would have become the first ever batsman to score 5 centuries in the 4th innings of a test.Yes, the first ever! Younis currently has 4 4th innings tons and stands level with Sunil Gavaskar, Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting, and Ramnaresh Sarwan.He truly is the King of the 4th Innings!Well, not really. I’d simply say he’s the King. Be it the 1st innings or the 4th innings, Younis Khan is the real KING KHAN!

If only Pakistan played more test matches…