Very few cricketers have played with 2 names and one of the them is the former Pakistani great Mohammad Yousuf, who had started his career as "Yousuf Youhana". The man from Lahore turns 47 today.
Yousuf was never among the flamboyants but certainly one of the most classiests. His elegant stroke-play was a treat for the eyes. He was one of the mainstays of the Pakistani middle-order during the 2000s, however, due to some unfortunate scenarios his illustratious career was cut short by few years.
Mohammad Yousuf as a Test Cricketer : -
Image Courtesy : ESPNCricInfo
Mohammad Yousuf made his test debut against South Africa at Kingsmead in 1998 and played his last test against England in 2010 at Lords
Let's have a look at his Test returns : -
Matches: 90
Innings: 156
Runs: 7530
Highest: 223
Average: 52.29
Strike Rate: 52.39
50s: 33
100s: 24
200s: 4
Catches: 65
Analysis and Notable Records : - Yousuf is the 4th leading run scorer for Pakistan in the tests format. His average of 52.29 is the second highest among the ones who have represented Pakistan (min 1000 runs). His tally of 24 hundreds is the 3rd highest for them.
The Dream Year : In 2006, Mohammad Yousuf played 11 tests and amassed 1788 runs at a bradmanesque average of 99.33 with 9 hundreds and 3 fifties. No player has ever scored more runs or centuries in a calendar year. In that very year, he scored hundreds in 5 consecutive matches. Only Don Bradman has 6 consecutive hundreds in 6 consecutive matches. (Jacques Kallis and Gautam Gambhir joint second with Yousuf with 5).
For his brilliant run, he was awarded as the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year in 2007
Mohammad Yousuf as an ODI Cricketer :-
Photo Source: AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images
Mohammad Yousuf made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe at Harare in 1998 and played his last game against South Africa at Dubai in 2010. Here's a look at his ODI statistics : -
Matches: 288
Innings: 273
Runs: 9720
Highest: 141
Average: 41.72
Strike Rate: 75.1
50s: 64
100s: 15
Analysis and Notable Records : He has scored the second most ODI runs for Pakistan. He also holds the record of having second most number of tons for Pakistan.
He is one of the 9 cricketers to score a 100 in 100th ODI, also one of the 10 cricketers to score fifties in 6 or more consecutive innings.
Trivia : Mohammad Yousuf has bowled 2 balls in ODIs and picked up a wicket on the second ball he bowled in his career. Thus he finished his career with a bowling average and strike rate of 1.
Legacy : Mohammad Yousuf was one of those cricketers who played the traditional brand of cricket. He has amassed 17300 runs in international cricket and only Inzamam-ul-Haq and Younis Khan has scored more for Pakistan. Overall he sits at 21st among the all time leading international run scorers. To average over 40 in ODIs and 50 in Tests, You need to be special, and no doubt Mohammad Yousuf was one of those special batsman who made a name of his own in the cricketing fraternity.
