4 Pakistan batsmen with over 6000 runs in Test cricket

Grit. Determination. Character.

These are the words that would come to our mind when we think of Azhar Ali’s performance with the willow in the third and final Test against England. The veteran batsman had come under fire due to his subpar performances with the willow in the first two Tests. Coming into the third Test, Azhar had aggregated just 38 runs in the series, and was under tremendous pressure to prove himself.

But then, in a marathon knock that lasted  272 deliveries, Azhar scored a patient 141* in the first innings of the third Test to allow his side to draw the final Test against the hosts. In fact, he scored more than half of his team’s total of 273 runs in the first innings.

And, during his first innings century, Azhar also became the fifth Pakistan batsman to cross the 6000 run mark in Test cricket. Azhar now has 6129 runs from 81 Tests at an average of 42.86. The Pakistani skipper also has 17 centuries and 31 half centuries under his belt. Also, he is only the fourth Pakistani batsman to have smashed a triple hundred in Tests.

With Azhar now in elite company, let us take a look at four other Pakistan batsmen to have scored 6000 or more runs in their Test career.

4. Mohammad Yousuf

A batsman blessed with a water tight technique, Mohammad Yousuf stands at the fourth place in the list of Pakistan batsmen with most Test runs. Yousuf featured in 90 Tests for Pakistan and scored 7530 runs at an excellent average of 52.29. Yousuf also scored 24 hundreds and 33 fifties during his illustrious career.

The right handed batting behemoth conjured several classics with the willow during his career. His rollicking 223 at Lahore in the year 2005 against England helped his side to inflict an innings defeat on the battered visitors, and his magical 203 against New Zealand in the land of the Kiwis will be remembered for the flawless mastery that Yousuf exhibited during his 429 ball stay in the middle.

Yousuf retired from the game in the year 2010. Poor form had marred the final stages of his career, and he could not score a century in his last 21 innings in Test cricket.

3. Inzamam-ul-Haq

Entering into the 8000 run club, we have Inzamam ul Haq at the third place. The bulky right hander played as many as 119 Tests for his country and scored 8829 runs in white flannels. Inzamam was a man who had a penchant for big scores, and his long vigils in the middle helped him to establish himself as one of the pillars of the Pakistani batting line up, during the 1990’s and the 2000’s.

Though there are several occasions where Inzamam dazzled with the willow, he will always be remembered for his 329* that he plundered against New Zealand at Lahore in the year 2002. In a classic that lasted 436 deliveries, Inzamam blasted 38 fours and 9 sixes to completely demolish the Kiwi bowling attack. His triple century allowed Pakistan to thrash the visitors by an innings and 324 runs.

Throughout his 15 year Test career, Inzamam scored 25 hundreds and 46 fifties, at an outstanding average of 50.16. He also has two double hundreds in Test cricket.

2. Javed Miandad

Leading Inzamam by just 3 runs and occupying the second place is former Pakistan skipper Javed Miandad. The batting legend played 124 Tests for Pakistan and scored 8832 runs at an average of 52.57. Miandad also scored 23 hundreds and 43 fifties in the whites for his country.

His best batting performance for his side came in the year 1983 against arch rivals India at the Niaz stadium. After winning the toss and batting first, the Pakistani batsmen destroyed the Indian bowlers as they piled up a gargantuan total of 581 runs on the board, with Miandad contributing a handsome 280*. He was ably supported by Mudassar Nazar, who scored 231.

Maindad is also the most capped Pakistan cricketer, having represented his country on 124 occasions.

1. Younis Khan

The No.1 spot is taken by the legendary Younis Khan. Khan is the only Pakistan batsman to have breached the 10000 run barrier in Test cricket. Younis Khan represented his side in 118 Tests and plundered 10099 runs, including 34 hundreds and 33 fifties at a superb average of 52.05.

Out of the many sizzling knocks that he played throughout his colossal career, his 313 against Sri Lanka in the year 2009 stands out for the control and artistry that he exhibited through the course of that knock. The right hander’s triple century helped Pakistan to score a massive 765/6, in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 644/7.

Another classic from the willow of Younis came in the year 2005 against India. His pristine 267 propelled Pakistan to a first innings score of 570 and helped them to thrash the Indian side by 168 runs in Bangalore.

Younis Khan is currently the batting coach of the Pakistan cricket team.

Note: All the stats have been taken from Cricinfo and Howstat cricket and have been updated as on 26th August 2020