Pakistan's former captain and senior batsman Younis Khan was today showered with accolades after becoming the country's highest Test run-getter on the first day of the first match against England at Abu Dhabi.
Younis, who fell for 38, surpassed the 23-year-old record of Javed Miandad, who remained Pakistan's highest Test run-getter with 8,832 runs until today.
"Younis has been one of Pakistan's most hardworking and dedicated players and I am happy he has broken my record," Miandad said.
Miandad, who played 124 Tests, said he wanted to see Younis also cross the magical 10,000 Test runs mark which no Pakistani has achieved as yet.
"He deserved the record and records are there to be broken," Miandad added.
The PCB facilitated Younis on his achievement with chairman Shaharyar Khan appreciating his services.
"Younis Khan has been an excellent ambassador of Pakistan cricket. The number of records he has set in the recent past is something we as a nation can take great pride in.
"He is the only Pakistani batsman to score centuries against every Test playing nation and I congratulate him on rewriting the record books. It was a mountain that none has been able to climb since Miandad played his last innings in December 1993," Khan said.
Chairman of PCB executive committee Najam Sethi said Younis was the reason behind Pakistan being the best Asian team in ICC Test rankings.
"The fact that he is the world's only batsman to score five centuries in the fourth innings of the Tests vindicates the notion that he has always performed under pressure."
Pakistan's former stars showered praise on Younis with former captain turned commentator Ramiz Raja describing him as a 37-year-old man with the fitness of a 24-year-old.
"His success is mainly due to the fact that he has always enjoyed his cricket and his hunger for success is remarkable."
Former captain Rashid Latif said Younis remained the ideal role model for all youngsters.
"He has shown a unique ability to perform under pressure and defy the odds and overcome personal tragedies. He remains one of our most dedicated, committed and hard working cricketers," Latif said.
Pakistan's former top batsman Muhammad Yousuf said, "It does not make him the best batsman produced by Pakistan but it does give him a unique place in our cricket history. I have always admired his dedication and commitment to his game and team," Yousuf said.
Pakistan's batting legend Hanif Mohammad said after breaking Miandad's record Younis had every right to play one-day cricket as well.
"He is playing his best cricket and he is the fittest player in the team so why shouldn't he play in 50-overs cricket as well," Hanif said.
