Pakistani Cricket Players: MOHAMMAD YOUSUF

Mohammad Yousuf Biography

Mohammad Yousuf (formerly Yousuf Youhana, born 27 August 1974, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan) is a Pakistani cricketer who has been a member of the Pakistani national cricket team since 1998. He is best known for his achievement in 2006 when he broke the great West Indian batsman, Sir Vivian Richards', world record for the most Test runs in a single calendar year. Prior to his conversion to Islam in 2005, Yousuf was one of the few Christians to play in the Pakistan national cricket team. He made his Test debut against South Africa at Durban and ODI debut against Zimbabwe at Harare. He has scored over 9,000 ODI runs at an average of 43.63 (2rd highest batting average among Pakistani batsmen after Zaheer Abbas and 6,770 Test runs at an average of 55.49 (highest batting average amongst all Pakistani batsmen) with 23 Test centuries. He has the record of scoring the most runs without being dismissed in ODIs, 405 against Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe in 2002-03. He has also scored a 23-ball fifty in ODIs, and a 68-ball hundred. In Tests he has scored a 27-ball fifty, which is 3rd fastest by any player. He was top scorer during the successive years of 2002 and 2003 in the world in ODIs. In 2004, he scored a memorable 111 against the Australians in the Boxing Day Test. In December 2005, he scored 223 against England at Lahore, also earning him the man of the match award. Seven months later in July 2006, when Pakistan toured England, he scored 202 and 48 in the first Test, again earning himself the man of the match award. He followed up with 192 in the third Test at Headingley and 128 in the final Test at the Oval. Yousuf was named CNN-IBN.s Cricketer of the Year for 2006, ahead of the likes of Australian captain Ricky Ponting, West Indies Brian Lara, Australian spinner Shane Warne, South Africa.s bowling spearhead Makhaya Ntini and Sri Lanka.s Muttiah Muralitharan. He was selected as a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in the 2007 edition. Yousuf became the fourth recipient of the ICC 'Test Cricketer of the Year' award for 2007, he scored 944 runs at an average of 94.40 including five centuries and two fifties in just 10 innings and that was enough to be awarded the honour ahead of Kevin Pietersen and Ricky Ponting. Yousuf was also named in the 2007 Test team of the Year alongside compatriot Mohammad Asif. A year that started on a promising note, Yousuf carried it forward to break two world records both held earlier by West Indian great Sir Vivian Richards. The 32-year-old smashed an unparalleled 1788 runs in just 11 Test matches with the help of nine centuries . his second record . taking him beyond the Windies great yet again. Yousuf is known for his ability to score runs at exceptional rate through his great technique and composed strokeplay. Although capable of hitting the ball hard, Yousuf is quick between the wickets, although he is prone to being run out. Yousuf is a skillful infielder, with a report prepared in late 2005 showing that since the 1999 Cricket World Cup, he had effected the ninth highest number of run-outs in ODI cricket of any fieldsman. He is also distinguished by his characteristic celebration after hitting one hundred runs for his country, where he prostrates in thankfulness to Allah in the direction of Mecca. He has observed this act (known as the Sajdah) recently since his conversion to Islam.

Major teams Pakistan, Asia XI, Bahawalpur, Lahore, Lahore Badshahs, Lancashire, Pakistan International Airlines, Warwickshire, Water and Power Development Authority, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm offbreak

Mohammad Yousuf Profile

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.

He changed his name from Yousuf Youhana on converting to Islam in September 2005

Teams: Pakistan (Test: 1997/98-2010); Pakistan (ODI: 1997/98-2010/11); Asian Cricket Council XI (ODI: 2004/05-2007); Pakistan (Int Twenty20: 2006-2010); Bahawalpur (Main FC: 1996/97); Water and Power Development Authority (Main FC: 1997/98-2009/10); Lahore City (Main FC: 1997/98); Lahore Blues (Main FC: 2000/01); Pakistan International Airlines (Main FC: 2001/02); Lahore (Main FC: 2003/04); Lancashire (Main FC: 2008); Lahore Shalimar (Main FC: 2010/11); Warwickshire (Main FC: 2011); Bahawalpur (Main ListA: 1996/97); Pakistan International Airlines (Main ListA: 1999/00-2001/02); Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (Main ListA: 2002/03); Lahore (Main ListA: 2003/04); Water and Power Development Authority (Main ListA: 2007/08-2008/09); Lancashire (Main ListA: 2008); Lahore Lions (Main ListA: 2010/11); Warwickshire (Main ListA: 2011); Lahore Lions (Main Twenty20: 2004/05-2011); Islamabad Leopards.

English County Update: Mohammad Yousuf got out after scoring 109-smashing 13 fours and 1 SIX for Warwickshire against Worcestershire, on a poor pitch. Yousuf, defying a treacherous pitch quite unsuited for this level of cricket, gave a masterful demonstration of batting to record the 30th century of his first-class career. Well Done MoYo!

Mohammad Yousuf offered Sajda after he scored his maiden County century.

Batting and fielding averages

Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St

Tests 90 156 12 7530 223 52.29 14372 52.39 24 33 957 51 65 0

ODIs 288 273 40 9720 141* 41.71 12942 75.10 15 64 785 90 58 0

T20Is 3 3 0 50 26 16.66 43 116.27 0 0 5 1 1 0

First-class 141 239 20 10505 223 47.96 30 51 84 0

List A 338 322 47 11026 141* 40.09 15 75 70 0

Twenty20 23 20 2 357 57* 19.83 322 110.86 0 1 37 8 9 0

Bowling averages

Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10

Tests 90 1 6 3 0 - - - 3.00 - 0 0 0

ODIs 288 2 2 1 1 1/0 1/0 1.00 3.00 2.0 0 0 0

T20Is 3 - - - - - - - - - - - -

First-class 141 18 24 0 - - - 8.00 - 0 0 0

List A 338 8 13 1 1/0 1/0 13.00 9.75 8.0 0 0 0

Twenty20 23 1 1 1 0 - - - 6.00 - 0 0 0

International Debut: 1998

Batting and fielding records

M Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St

Test 90 156 12 7530 223 52.29 14372 52.39 24 33 957 51 65 -

ODI 289 273 40 9670 141* 41.50 12861 75.19 15 63 783 89 56 -

T20I 3 3 0 50 26 16.67 43 116.28 - - 5 1 1 -

Bowling records

M Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Eco SR 4W 5W 10W

Test 90 1 6 3 - - - - 3.00 - - - -

ODI 289 2 2 1 1 1/0 1/0 1.00 3.00 2.00 - - -

T20I 3 - - - - - - - - - - - -

Career Statistics

Test Debut: South Africa v Pakistan at Durban, 26 Feb - 02 Mar 1998

ODI Debut: Zimbabwe v Pakistan at Harare, Mar 28, 1998

Twenty20 Debut: England v England at Bristol, Apr 28, 2006

Mohammad Yousuf is a pillar of Pakistan batting squad setting many records in cricket history. An orthodox middle order batsman, Yousuf is next to none in his style of batting. Although a perfect Test personality, he is equally successful in one-day internationals.

Mohammad Yousuf, formerly known as Yousuf Youhana made a difficult

Test Career Batting and Fielding (1997/98-2010)

M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 SRate Ct

Pakistan 90 156 12 7530 223 52.29 24 33 52.39 65

Test Career Bowling (2000/01)

Balls Mdns Runs Wkts BB Ave 5wI 10wM SRate Econ

Pakistan 6 0 3 0 0-3 3.00

First-Class Career Batting and Fielding (1996/97-2011)

M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct

Overall 141 239 20 10505 223 47.96 30 51 84

First-Class Career Bowling (1997/98-2001/02)

Balls Mdns Runs Wkts BB Ave 5wI 10wM SRate Econ

Overall 18 0 24 0 0-3 8.00

One-Day International Career Batting and Fielding (1997/98-2010/11)

M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 SRate Ct

Pakistan 281 267 40 9554 141* 42.08 15 62 74.91 55

Asian Cricket Council XI 7 6 0 166 66 27.66 0 2 87.83 3

Overall 288 273 40 9720 141* 41.71 15 64 75.10 58

One-Day International Career Bowling (2004-2006/07)

Balls Mdns Runs Wkts BB Ave 4wI 5wI SRate Econ

Pakistan 2 0 1 1 1-0 1.00 0 0 2.00 3.00

One-Day Career Batting and Fielding (1996/97-2011)

M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct

Overall 338 322 47 11026 141* 40.09 15 75 70

One-Day Career Bowling (2001/02-2006/07)

Balls Mdns Runs Wkts BB Ave 4wI 5wI SRate Econ

Overall 8 0 13 1 1-0 13.00 0 0 8.00 9.75

International Twenty20 Career Batting and Fielding (2006-2010)

M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 SRate Ct

Pakistan 3 3 0 50 26 16.66 0 0 116.27 1

Twenty20 Career Batting and Fielding (2004/05-2011)

M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 SRate Ct

Overall 23 20 2 357 57* 19.83 0 1 110.86 9

Twenty20 Career Bowling (2006/07)

Balls Mdns Runs Wkts BB Ave 4wI 5wI SRate Econ

Overall 1 0 1 0 0-1 6.00

Recent matches

Bat & Bowl Team Opposition Ground Match Date Scorecard

35 Lahore Lions v R Rams Faisalabad 30 Jun 2011 Twenty20

5 Lahore Lions v Hawks Faisalabad 29 Jun 2011 Twenty20

18 Lahore Lions v Leopards Faisalabad 27 Jun 2011 Twenty20

13 Lahore Lions v S Stallions Faisalabad 25 Jun 2011 Twenty20

0, 0 Warwickshire v Durham Birmingham 24 May 2011 First-class

74* Warwickshire v Durham Birmingham 22 May 2011 List A

27 Warwickshire v Notts Nottingham 18 May 2011 First-class

0* Warwickshire v Leics Leicester 15 May 2011 List A

109, 68 Warwickshire v Worcs Birmingham 11 May 2011 First-class

72 Warwickshire v Northants Northampton 8 May 2011 List A

Profile

This much is at least certain that few Pakistani batsmen have been as elegant as Mohammd Yousuf and fewer still have been as prolific, as hungry to bat as long and bat as big.

Timeline

February 26, 1998

Inauspicious debut

March 28, 1998

MOHAMMAD YOUSUF