Afghanistan have roped in former Pakistan captain Younis Khan as their mentor for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The main event is scheduled to be played in Pakistan and UAE from February 19.
One of Pakistan’s greatest batsmen, Younis Khan is not new to coaching teams in international cricket. In 2020, he worked as batting coach for Pakistan for their tour of England. Later, the PCB also extended his contract even though he decided to part ways with the team. He also worked as a coach for Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Also read: Sam Konstas releases private conversation with Virat Kohli after boat incident
In 2017, he was also in talks with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to become the head coach of the team, but ultimately turned down the offer. Later in 2022, he served as the batting coach for Afghanistan 2022. And ahead of the Champions Trophy, ACB hired him as their mentor, according to Cricbuzz.
“ACB has appointed former experienced top player Pakistan Younis Khan as mentor for Champions Trophy 2025. He (Younis) will join the team before the start of the event in Pakistan,” Sayeed Naseem Sadat, ACB spokesperson, confirmed to the news outlet.
Younis Khan Career Number:
Younis Khan enjoyed an illustrious career in international cricket and retired from the game as one of Pakistan’s most decorated batsmen.
He represented Pakistan in 118 Tests and scored 10,099 runs with the help of 34 centuries and 33 half-centuries. The former batsman also scored a triple century in Tests. In ODIs, Younis Khan scored 7249 runs in 265 matches with the help of 7 centuries and 48 fifties.
He also played 25 T20Is for Pakistan and led them to their first and only T20 World Cup title in 2009. Afghanistan will look to make the most of Younis Khan’s experience as they eye another good campaign at the ICC event.
Afghanistan did very well in the 2023 ODI World Cup, beating England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to qualify for the Champions Trophy. They also did well in the T20 World Cup last year as they qualified for the semi-finals.
Also read: Big blow for Akash Deep! Pacer’s career in jeopardy as BCCI drops a big bombshell
Afghanistan Schedule for ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
For the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, Afghanistan are in Group B along with South Africa, Australia and England.
They will open their campaign against South Africa on February 21 in Karachi. In their second group game, Afghanistan will face England on February 26 before taking on Australia on February 28.
Also read: Ben Stokes calls himself the ‘bionic man’ and is on the road to recovery after knee surgery
