Pakistan's Yousuf breaks record after record

KARACHI, Nov 30 (Reuters) Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf joined the ranks of cricketing greats by setting several records in the third test against West Indies today, including the most runs scored in a calendar year -- 1,788.

On the first day of the match, the soft-spoken 32-year-old from Lahore said he was honoured to break West Indian Viv Richards's record for centuries in a year after registering his eighth hundred of 2006.

In scoring a second century (124) of the match today and ninth of the year, he also surpassed Richards's record of 1,710 runs established 30 years ago in just 11 matches.

With his 23rd career hundred he now has seven centuries against the West Indies in eight tests.

Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer described Yousuf's batting feats as ''marvellous''.

''I have had the privilege of playing with Richards and coaching Yousuf,'' Woolmer told reporters.

''But there is no comparison between the two. Richards was more aggressive and Yousuf is a touch player. They are both greats in their own ways.

''To achieve this feat is something great and it has lifted the spirit of the team.'' The 72-test veteran has now scored six hundreds in his last five matches, one century more than South Africa's Jacques Kallis, who made five hundreds in five matches.

Australian great Donald Bradman registered six hundreds in six consecutive matches.

HIGHEST AGGREGATE During the course of his second innings, Yousuf also established a new mark for the highest aggregate in a three-match series with 665 runs, surpassing the previous best of 583 held by compatriot Zaheer Abbas in a home series against India in 1978.

Yousuf will also be delighted with the fact that he can finally relinquish the tag of being a player incapable of batting under pressure.

''I think Yousuf has now come of age. He can be depended upon to scores for Pakistan in high-pressure situations,'' former captain Rameez Raja said.

After a difficult debut against South Africa in 1997-98, he quickly established himself as a stylish batsman and a pillar of Pakistan's middle order alongside Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar said the player who converted to Islam in 2005 had turned the corner with his increased mental strength.

''He has always been a graceful player in full flow,'' Manjrekar said.

''But the change in him is now he is mentally stronger and more focused out in the middle. He bats like he is in a trance.

''I don't know what has brought the change in his attitude but he is now a more composed person out there now.'' Former Pakistan captain Hanif Mohammad, who batted for 970 minutes to score 337 runs at Bridgetown in 1957/58 and save the test, described Yousuf's achievement as phenomenal.

''He is one of the best batsman produced by Pakistan and the way he is batting I see him going onto break many new records,'' Hanif said.

''I have a feeling this is just a beginning.'' REUTERS AY VC1713