Is Mohammad Yousuf one of the greatest batsmen?
Only a few Pakistani batsmen have been as elegant and prolific as Mohammad Yousuf. At his best, he is easy on the eyes and a delight to watch. A high back lift has been supported by, playing late and excellent timing.
Every shot he plays is unhurried. A nervous starter, feet starting to move late, but when they do, there are few better batsmen. Nobody drives better in the current era. Whipping off his legs over midwicket, and driving through the covers are his trade mark
shots.
He has been an integral part of the Pakistani batting middle order. Younis Khan and Inzamam have helped groom him as a batsman. Inzamam as a senior has guided him, and has given him direction. Younis as a partner has helped him to play his game.
His life and his career have two phases, both as a person and as a batsman. Yousuf Youhana, as he was formerly known as, converted to Islam in 2005. He announced it publicly in 2006.
Soon after, his conversion came his most prolific era. In 2006 he achieved the most remarkable feat as a batsman in the history of Test cricket. He amassed an amazing tally of 1788 runs in 11 Test matches at a remarkable average of 99 with 9 Test centuries.
In doing all this, he surpassed the 30 year old record set by the legendary Sir Vivian Richards.
In 2007 he was rewarded with the ICC Test player of the year award, and was named as the Wisden Cricketer of the Year.
He hasn’t been prolific since, clashes with the board, and captaincy issues, moving to the ICL, has shifted the focus of his game to off the field. He has struggled in Test cricket, considering his high standards.
Hallmarks of his career include the Caribbean tour of 2000 and England tour in 2006.
On the tour of the Caribbean, in 2000, Yousuf scored two hundreds against the West Indian attack comprising of Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose. In all, he gathered 279 runs in 3 Test matches at an average of almost 70.
The England tour was a real highlight of his class. He amassed 665 runs on that tour. At an impressive average of 90, Bradman like, touching the sky. A double hundred at Lord’s was when Pakistan’s score was 69/4. England had already posted over 500 runs.
His double hundred was followed by 192 at Leeds and a majestic 124 at The Oval.
Overall, his Test record has been phenomenal. He has 7530 runs to his name at an average of 52 with 24 Test centuries. His tally of 24 centuries includes 4 double centuries. He is one of only four Pakistan batsmen to have an average of over 50 in Test match
cricket.
ODIs have been prolific for Mohammad Yousuf too. He is the 2nd highest run getter for Pakistan with 9717 runs. These runs were achieved at an average of 42 with 15 centuries.
There are still a few questions to be answered. There is a fine line between a great batsman and an excellent batsman. No doubt, Yousuf has been one of the best of his era, and one of the best http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 has ever produced. He has proved himself to be an excellent
batsman. His record breaking performance in 2006 certainly marked him as one of the best players and destined him for greatness. He has fallen a bit since then.
Yousuf has struggled against three Test playing nations. He is averaging 29 against three major cricket forces. Yousuf against South Africa is yet to prove his mettle. He has played 7 Test matches against them, scoring just 357 runs at an average of 29.75.
In http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 his statistics are even worse. He averages 26 in their backyard. In 6 Test matches he has scored 261 runs with a best of 83. He is yet to score a hundred against them.
The team of his era has been Australia. Against the best, he is again averaging 29.61. In 11 matches he has 622 runs with a single century at the MCG. In http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 he is averaging 32 in 9 matches with 574 runs.
Sri Lanka has been the toughest place in the subcontinent. He has appeared in 15 Test matches against them, scoring 725 runs at an average of 29 with a single century at Galle. In http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 he has gathered just 338 runs in 7 matches at an average of 34.
A great batsman can struggle against a particular opposition, but not against three major Test playing nations.
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