ABU DHABI - Pakistan batsman Younis Khan marked his recovery from dengue fever with a splendid century against the West Indies on Friday but admitted he was concerned after shedding six kilos during his illness.
Pakistan's Younis Khan plays a shot on the first day of their second Test against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi on October 21, 2016
The 38-year-old hit an attractive 127 to guide Pakistan to 304-4 on the opening day of the second Test -- three weeks after he was hospitalised in Karachi suffering the effects of the mosquito-borne disease.
Younis had to miss the first Test in Dubai as he had not fully recovered but came back strongly at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Friday.
"Normally after dengue you don’t have that much strength but I managed to regain it thanks to the doctors and medical staff who gave so much care," said Younis.
"I had no energy to play in the first Test so I told the board and they accepted it. I got enough rest and probably had I rushed into it I wouldn’t have managed this success."
Younis admitted he was worried about lack of match practice ahead of his return.
"I had lost some six kilos and I was worried that I had not played a match since the Oval Test on August 14," said Younis of his last match where he stroked an epic 218 to help Pakistan level the four-match series 2-2 against England.
"I played some club matches on cement wickets and that helped. It was hot and those matches helped me coming into this Test."
Younis added 87 for the third wicket with Asad Shafiq (68) and another 175 for the fourth with skipper Misbah-ul-Haq who was 90 not out at close on Friday.
It was his 15th hundred partnership with Misbah in 49 innings.
"We know we have the responsibility to carry the team. That's why whenever me and Misbah play together we want to do well," said Younis.
"We are well aware of the responsibility and our mental preparation is always positive."
Younis said he never felt nervous in the nineties -- he has scored the most consecutive hundreds in all Test cricket (31) without being dismissed in 90s.
"There is no secret as such. Only once in Auckland (against New Zealand in 2001) I got out in the 90s."