Yousuf - Islam as it is meant to be

Mohammed Yousuf aka Yousuf Youhana has had a banner cricketing year. He has been the bedrock of the Pakistani middle order and set Pakistani and International records for runs scored in a year and centuries in a year. He has been compared to Vivian Richards, Javed Miandad and Inzie. But it isnt his talent that has won him the most accolades, it is his humility and quiet devoutness.

After initially struggling with his new religion (Yousuf is a Catholic converted to Islam), which was reflected his batting, he was finally come to terms with the demands and joys of his faith. He openly attributes Islam to improving his batting by giving him peace of mind, faith and concentration. Yet this is not the grating, "Praise be to Allah" statements made famous by Pakistani cricketers over the years. Yousuf simply states fact. There is no preachy, jihadi or evangelist tone in his thanks to God for his success.

He has also shown remarkable humility by rejecting comparisons with the game's greats, Pakistani and otherwise. He recognises that he has a long way to go before being even Pakistan's best batsman. This humility is rare in a South Asian batsmen and I feel that it will stand him in good stead in the volatile and cut-throat world of Pakistani cricket.

I have always loved Pakistani cricket and I am joyful that they have found form so close to the World Cup. If there is one person besides Mahela Jayawardene I want to see lift up the Cup, it will be the shy, overly bearded, Yousuf. After the debacles of Asif and Akhtar, Pakistan Cricket has finally found a hero to be proud of.