Mohammad Yousuf's achievements with the bat in 2006 have now overshadowed the likes of Viv Richards and Zaheer Abbas. Yesterday, coincidentally against West Indies, the heavily bearded Pakistani became the highest Test run-scorer in a calendar year.
Not content with putting two batting immortals in the shade, Yousuf's second century of the third Test here gave him a record ninth during 2006 and when he was out for 124 he had plundered 1,788 since January, 78 runs more than Richards had in 1976 in 11 Tests, the same number as Yousuf has played in the last 12 months.
In addition he claimed Abbas's record for most runs by a Pakistan batsman in a three-Test series: Abbas amassed 583 against India in 1978-79, a mark surpassed by Yousuf when he reached 43 yesterday. He rode his luck, being dropped twice - first by Daren Ganga on 68 and then by Jerome Taylor on 87 - but has now scored centuries in five successive Tests.
After his dismissal, as he attempted to sweep a Ramnaresh Sarwan delivery and was bowled round his legs, Yousuf gave credit to the former leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, Pakistan's coach Bob Woolmer - and strips of concrete.
"I have worked very hard and changed my practice style," he said. "Mushtaq was with our team as assistant coach and he made me practise a lot on slab [pitches] and it improved my game a lot. He also gave me tips in England and it helped me focus a lot more on my batting." He added that Woolmer "has helped me improve my balance and set it right, which is so important for any batsman".
The Pakistan captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq, described Yousuf's batting as magical and rare. "I have been playing since 1989 but I have not seen such consistency from a batsman at this level."
The opposing captain, Brian Lara, who is Test cricket's leading scorer, added: "He is very committed every time he goes out to bat and he is definitely not just a role model for Pakistan cricket but for young cricketers around the world."
Yousuf, a devout Muslim after converting from Christianity and changing his name from Yousuf Youhana, helped put Pakistan on course for victory, the home side declaring on 399 for six to set the tourists a notional target of 444.
West Indies made a poor start to their reply and were 39 for two at the close. Umar Gul had Chris Gayle with the second ball of the innings and, on 17, Ganga was trapped lbw by Shahid Nazir.