By IANS
Guwahati : After hammering India in Test cricket, Pakistan vice-captain Younis Khan would like to do the same in One-Day Internationals as well and improve his average to match his whopping Test average of 106.10 against the neighbours when the series starts here Monday.
In six Tests against India, the smiling assassin has amassed an amazing 1,061 runs at 106.10 against India, with four centuries and three half-centuries. His highest score against India is 261, on which Pakistan rode to win the third Test in Bangalore in 2005.
Now, Younis would like to rectify his modest ODI record against the same opponents, though the right-hander from the North West Frontier Province says he does not play for records.
“I don’t go by past records. In fact, I have never played for records,” he said.
Younis, however, pointed to the early start of day matches as one of the reasons for his not-so-good ODI record against India. He has scored only 81 in 22 ODIs innings with three half-centuries.
“You people start the day matches so early here in India that even before one could open his sleepy eyes, he finds himself on the ground,” the friendly player said with a big smile.
He would gain confidence from the fact that he had some good scores in the recent home series against South Africa. He finished off with 82 and 58 in the last two ODIs before heading for India.
Younis would also like to score runs in a dignified manner, the spirit for which cricket is known. He would not be drawn into unnecessary aggression.
“It is going to be a contest between bat and ball. In my seven-year career I have never abused any opponent,” he said.
Younis was also quick to jump to the defence of Indian medium pacer S. Sreesanth, who at times hogs headlines more for his on-field aggression than his bowling.
“Sreesanth has never done anything against us. Even in the last series he did not do anything like that,” he said.
He, however, pointed out that the line should never be crossed.
He believed that the India-Pakistan series would be fought on a level playing field despite Pakistan’s two losses to India in the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa last September.
Younis said his team would not play with an aim to avenge those setbacks.
“It will be a level contest,” he said, while trying to play down his own role in the batting line-up that comprises the likes of Mohammad Yousuf and Misbah-ul-Haq.