Muhammad Yousuf Biography
Until his conversion to Islam in 2005, Mohammad Yousuf
(formely known as Yousuf Youhana) was one of a handful of Christians to
play for Pakistan. After a difficult debut against South Africa in
1997-98, he quickly established himself as a stylish world-class
batsman, and a pillar of Pakistan's middle order, alongside
Inzamam-ul-Haq. He is no sluggard, but gathers his runs through
orthodox, composed strokeplay, unlike some of his colleagues who seldom
hint at permanence. He is particularly strong driving through the covers
and flicking wristily off his legs and brings with him as decadent and
delicious a backlift as any in the game. A tendency to overbalance when
playing across his front leg can get him into trouble. He excels at both
versions of the game, and in one-day cricket can score 20 or 30 runs
before anyone notices. He is quick between the wickets although not
necessarily the best judge of a single. There had been questions about
his temperament as batsman when the pressure is on, but between 2004 and
2005, he began to silence critics. First came a spellbindingly languid
century against the Australians in Melbourne, as captain to boot, where
he ripped into Shane Warne like few Pakistani batsmen have before or
since. A century in the cauldron of Kolkatta followed but he ended the
year with possibly his most important knock: a double century against
England at Lahore so easy on the eye, you almost didn't notice it. With
Inzamam missing through injury for parts of the innings, Yousuf
displayed an unusual responsibility, eschewing the waftiness that has
previously blighted him. In 2006, Yousuf truly came of age in a
record-breaking year. He began by plundering India and continued in
England, not just scoring under pressure, but scoring big. A double ton
at Lord's was followed by another big hundred at Headingly and the Oval.
He rounded off a fantastic year with four hundreds in three Tests
against the West Indies, a feat that took him past Viv Richards's
long-standing record of most Test runs in a calendar year and also saw
him establish the record for most Test hundreds (9) in a year. With
Inzamam nearing a natural end, the credentials of Yousuf as Pakistan's
premier batsman are impressive.
Muhammad Yousuf
Muhammad Yousuf
Muhammad Yousuf
Muhammad Yousuf
Muhammad Yousuf
Muhammad Yousuf
Muhammad Yousuf
Muhammad Yousuf
Muhammad Yousuf
Muhammad Yousuf
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