The Corridor of Uncertainty looks at how the arrival of Younus Khan should have a positive effect both on and off the cricket pitch.

Anyone fortunate enough to have witnessed the 3^rd England v Pakistan Test match at the Headingley Carnegie Stadium last summer will have already seen the sublime talent of Younus Khan in action. Younus was joined by Mohammad Yousuf with the Pakistan 1st innings score a perilous 36-2, still 479 runs behind England’s mammoth first innings total of 515. England supporters were silenced by a wonderful display of batting from both men.

363 runs and 83.5 overs later the pair were finally separated when Mohammad Yousuf’s innings was ended on 192. Younus Khan scored a chanceless 173. It was an exceptional knock packed with serene strokeplay that saw the Pakistan number three bat for six and three quarter hours and 285 balls. The only way the England side ever seemed likely to dislodge Younus was through a run out which finally saw Younus leave the arena with the score on 447.

The partnership at Headingley beat Younus and Yousuf’s previous best as a pair (319) against India at Lahore in early 2006. The stand of 363 was the highest for any Pakistan wicket against England (beating Javed Miandad and Salim Malik’s 322 at Edgbaston in 1992) and was also the best third-wicket partnership against England (beating Everton Weekes and Frank Worrell’s 338 at Part-of-Spain in 1953-4). The names of both men stand proudly on the honours board in the Headingley Long Room.

Younis Khan will not just have an impact on the cricket field. His arrival is a step in the right direction for Yorkshire as a club, where involving the county’s Asian population not only fosters harmonious community relations, but could also have a significant impact on the makeup of the future playing staff. Younus’ wages during his time in Yorkshire will be supported by the Asian Business Development Network (ABDN).

Arshad Chaudhry, President of the ABDN, is looking forward to his organisations involvement with Younus and Yorkshire cricket. He told The Corridor of Uncertainty: ‘It is very exciting. He is a high profile personality and a tremendous cricketer and a lot of our members will welcome Younus Khan’s involvement in promoting their products and services. We hope Younus will be able to give some time out of his busy schedule to help to promote the people who support him and sponsor him. We will hopefully work with Younus Khan to put across positive messages, not only about cricket but about working and living together and bringing harmony to the community.’

Yorkshire County Cricket Club has been criticised in the past for a failure to meaningfully engage the large ethnic minority population in the area. The ABDN has played a crucial role in bringing Younus to Yorkshire and have been involved in the process from the initial discussions. Arshad Chaudhry explained: ‘The club spoke to us to ensure there was support from the community in terms of support and funding. We thought it was a very good idea because Yorkshire County Cricket Club has traditionally been a closed shop sort of old fashioned club where ethnic minorities had very little part to play, both in terms of people playing in the time as well as people watching the games. A lot of people used to go across to watch Test matches in which the sub-content teams played. I think the arrival of Younus will get the community much more involved particularly at a local level which is very important in this region. It should improve harmony within the community and give a very positive message that the community is basically all one working towards the same goals and contributing in every aspect of life including sport’.

The negative attention that certain members of the Muslim community have gained in recent times has had a negative impact on race relations. This is something that Arshad Chaudhry is particularly conscious of: ‘After the July 7^th incidents, which haven’t gone down very well with the ethnic community here, particularly with the Muslim community, we want to use our association with Younus as a positive message to give to the whole community. It’s important that we say we are here as part of the whole community, playing an active part and we want to stay that way’.

Cricket is the main national sport of the sub-continent and the ABDN appreciate the key role the sport can play in our wider lives. Cricket is also something that can have a very positive effect on the young Asian community, who are at risk of being dis-enfranchised from mainstream society: ‘Most people from the sub-continent, India and Pakistan particularly, are fanatical about cricket. People like Younus Khan being with the club will be very good for the game here generally, encourage a lot of youngsters to start playing the game of cricket. That’s what we want to do - it’s not simply about Younus Khan it’s about engaging the community with cricket at a local level. A lot of our youngsters are already talented, but they somehow don’t progress. A lot of them play at club level, but none of them go through the ceiling and we want to ensure that they can continue right through into the Yorkshire team. There are two young cricketers now who are getting through at Yorkshire and we’d like more of that to happen. There are a lot of very talented young cricketers here who can make a significant contribution to Yorkshire cricket once they get in. I think that would be good for everybody all round – not just for cricket but for the community.’

For young players to progress in the game they need the opportunity to reach the highest stage that their ability deserves and they also need inspirational role models to encourage youngsters to take the sport up and keep going with it. There are currently few bigger names in world cricket than Younus Khan and the cricket club and the ABDN believe that Younus can make a vital difference both on and off the pitch. The ABDN are determined that 2007 will not be their one and only involvement with the cricket club.

‘Younus is a good role model, the only thing he needs is a bit of coaching in English, but he is definitely a good role model’ Chaudhry continued. ‘The reaction from the Asian community has been very positive. People want more of this and we are all wishing that he plays well as he can be inconsistent at times. We are all keeping our fingers crossed that he can perform as well as being a good role model for everyone. There is a possibility that Younus Khan can extend his contract. He will like Yorkshire. I think he will settle in well here and there’s no reason why we can’t continue this into the future.’

The message is simple – Yorkshire is a massive county with a big and diverse population. We are all busy in our every day lives, concentrating on making a living and caring for ourselves and our families. Society today is increasingly insular and intolerant of difference. Cricket is something that Yorkshire people can share and enjoy together. When Younus Khan walks out on to the pitch with his Yorkshire team mates for the first time the club will be taking huge strides forward. If Younis Khan can recapture the magic he displayed during the Headingley Test match last summer, as cricket fans we can all enjoy the talent of one of the world’s greatest batsmen, regardless of our ethnic origin and background. That can only be good for everyone concerned.

To find out more about the Asian Business Development Network visit their website HERE.

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