'Wherever there is a need, I play there' - Younis

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	Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq have had dynamic partnerships in the middle order © AFP Enlarge
Related Links Players/Officials: Misbah-ul-Haq | Younis Khan Series/Tournaments: ICC Cricket World Cup Teams: Pakistan

The good form of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq in the middle order, individually and in partnership, has been one of the significant factors in Pakistan's winning starts in Group A. They made two fifties each against Kenya and Sri Lanka, putting on a quick 45 in Hambantota and a platform-setting 108 against the co-hosts at the R Premadasa.

Their partnerships have been doubly important given the pre-tournament concerns that batting Younis and Misbah at No. 4 and No. 5 would rob Pakistan of impetus in the middle overs. Instead, the pair has brought stability and momentum. In recent years, Younis has been the regular one down, but the arrival of Ahmed Shehzad pushed Kamran Akmal to that spot, pushing Younis down one further. The two fifties have been his first in World Cup cricket, having failed to perform in 2003 and 2007.

"My job is that wherever there is a need, I play there," Younis said at the P Sara Oval in Colombo after a practice session. "I played at No. 3 before and now we need me at No. 4, so whatever the situation is for the team or in the match, I will do. Misbah and I are the seniors and we talk about our roles. We've made a couple of good partnerships so we want to keep that going. In both of the games I have missed hundreds but I am happy that I have scored fifties."

Younis and Misbah, at 33 and 36, are very much the senior members of the squad, and along with another old pro Shoaib Akhtar (35), were involved in the moments that won the Sri Lanka game. Younis and Misbah have also been involved in leading the fielding performances of the side which, though it faltered towards the end of Saturday's game, has shown signs of improvement over the last few months and series.

Senior players, including Umar Gul, got together before the World Cup and decided they would take the lead. "The seniors got together and decided that we have to make an extra effort with juniors," Gul said. "Whatever is in the junior's workload, we should also take that on so that we can be role models roles for them. That is our target, that we should take the load and fulfill as much responsibility as we can ourselves."

Pakistan's second win puts them in a good position to not only qualify for the quarter-finals but also to be in a good position in the group, as two of their four remaining games are against Canada and Zimbabwe, which they would expect to win comfortably.

"It is getting easier now because by winning every match we make it easier to get to the quarter-finals," Younis said. "We want to keep playing like this and win every match. We all know that it's a big tournament, so senior or junior, the goal is that we give our best and contribute to every game."

Pakistan's win has put them on the radar as far as serious contenders in the tournament are concerned. Shahid Afridi has already said he wants, at the least, a semi-final berth, but Younis was more cautious about where he saw Pakistan reaching. "I have said this before, right now these are round matches. In knockouts, if it is your day, if someone bats well or bowls well or has a lucky day, then the match turns. First we want to reach the quarter-finals."