Stats: Younis Khan breaks record for most Test centuries after the age of 35
Younis Khan broke the record for most Test centuries after the age of 35 courtesy of his century in the second Test against West Indies at Abu Dhabi. The record was previously jointly-held by four players who all had scored 12 Test centuries after the age of 35 but Younis now leads the way with 13.
After missing the historic Day-Night Test through injury, Younis Khan announced his return to the team in style after continuing from where he left off in the England Test series, which he ended with a series-leveling double century in the fourth Test. His century also meant he overtook Mohammad Yousuf to claim the Pakistani record for most international centuries with 40.
The 38-year-old is now ninth on the all-time list of most centuries in Tests with 33 tons, only one behind Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara, and Mahela Jayawardene, who all have 34 Test centuries to their names. His century now means that he has converted 31 consecutive 90s into hundreds, which is two more than the legendary Don Bradman who converted 29 consecutive times.
He also became only the ninth batsman to score more than 3,000 runs after the age of 35 and although he is only 38, he is still someway short of the all-time record of runs after the age of 35, which is currently held by Graham Gooch, who has 4,563 Test runs after turning 35.
As far as centuries are concerned, though, Younis has the record all to himself after he equalled illustrious company in the form of Rahul Dravid, Graham Gooch, and Sachin Tendulkar after his double century against England at the Oval in the final Test, which Pakistan won to draw the series 2-2.
While Rahul Dravid took 47 matches, Gooch took 52 games and Sachin took 53 games, the 38-year-old Pakistan batsman took just 30 Tests to score 13 centuries. If he follows in the footsteps of his teammate, Misbah-ul-Haq, it is fair to say that he will score a few more before he calls it a day and eventually have the record all to himself.
Here is the complete list of players with most Test centuries after the age of 35.
Batsmen with most Test centuries after 35
No. | Name | Number of Tests | Number of centuries |
1. | Younis Khan (PAK) | 30 | 13* |
2. | Rahul Dravid (IND) | 47 | 12 |
3. | Graham Gooch (ENG) | 52 | 12 |
4. | Sachin Tendulkar (IND) | 53 | 12 |
5. | Geoffrey Boycott (ENG) | 45 | 10 |
6. | Jack Hobbs (ENG) | 33 | 10 |
7. | Jacques Kallis (SA) | 26 | 10 |
8. | Steve Waugh (AUS) | 40 | 10 |
9. | Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI) | 43 | 9 |
10. | Brian Lara (WI) | 25 | 9 |
NOTE: *Records accurate as of Younis Khan's century on day one of the second Test against West Indies