Younis Khan scored his century and then kneeled in supplication, bowed to Mecca, and served notice that a new force in Pakistan batsmanship had arrived on the world stage against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland today.

His was a thrilling innings, diced with some powerful, exquisitely-timed hitting and artful defence. This is a big player on the world stage of the future if this sort of momentum can be maintained.

He finished 149 not out when Pakistan declared its innings closed at 336/5 and capped an outstanding return to Test cricket after he was dropped for the home series against England late last year.

Scoring 107 in his Test debut against Sri Lanka he signalled the richness of his talent, but a tour to the West Indies in which he managed only 31 runs in five Test innings saw him dropped by the Pakistan selectors.

He did score 116 against Sri Lanka when recalled, and then ushered up by the New Zealand tour management after the One-Day series had been completed, he scored 91 in the first innings of this Test and backed it with today's century.

The Pathan tribesman from the Peshawar province near the Khyber Pass admits he likes to play positively and there is more than a fair share of humour in his make-up. Asked who his favourite cricketer was he thought for a moment and then said: "Younis Khan."

The questioner intended the query to mean had he modelled himself on anyone and realising his gaffe, he revealed a degree of diplomacy when he said: "Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis and Stephen Fleming [the New Zealand captain]."

"New Zealand's conditions are good for me. There is some bounce out there and that was good for me," he said of the much commented upon Eden Park portable pitch.

"It is a good pitch if you play your natural game and play positively," he said.

The innings he rated his best in Test play.

Team manager Fakir Aizuddin said Younis had rewarded the management team for their efforts in getting him out to New Zealand for the tour.

"He was a good player in these conditions, it proved to be a great decision," Fakir said.

© CricInfo