Full name Mohammad Younis Khan

Born November 29, 1977, Mardan, North-West Frontier Province

Current age 34 years 3 days

Major teams Pakistan, Habib Bank Limited, Nottinghamshire, Peshawar Cricket Association, Rajasthan Royals, South Australia, Surrey, Warwickshire, Yorkshire

Also known as Younus Khan

Playing role Middle-order batsman

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm medium, Legbreak

Abu Dhabi, May 1 : Pakistan captain Younis Khan has said that cricketing ties between India and Pakistan are a must for cricket fans worldwide and both teams should play each other more frequently.

Comparing the matches between India and Pakistan with the Ashes, Khan said both the countries should also play in regular bilateral series.

"It not only provides excitement but also gives a chance to players to prove their mettle. "I think India playing Pakistan is a must for world cricket," he said.

Attributing his name and fame in the cricket world to the 2005 series against India in which he scored a century in the second Test and a brilliant 267 in the third, Khan said: "Whatever fame and name I have earned is primarily after my performance against India in 2005."

He said he would appeal to Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene and Bangladesh's Mohammad Ashraful to join hands in the difficult situation that the region is facing currently, because of which foreign teams have been expressing reservations about touring the sub-continent.

"I will definitely meet (them) on the sidelines of T20 World Cup in England and tell them that we need to join hands, as the situation in all four countries is not good, so we must stand up for each other," The Daily Times quoted Khan, as saying.

Expressing disappointment over Pakistan not being able to host any foreign team and the ICC's decision to shift the 2011 World Cup matches from the country, Khan said all the cricket playing nations of the region must join hands to tackle the issue together.

"The Asian countries will have to plan together, and stand up for each other in difficult times, otherwise cricket matches will not take place in our part of the world," he said. (ANI).