Younis Khan Chooses Afghanistan Mentorship Over Pakistan in Champions Trophy for Financial Reasons

Younis Khan Chooses Afghanistan Over Pakistan: A Strategic Move

In a surprising turn of events, former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has taken on the role of mentor for Afghanistan’s national cricket team during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, opting not to assist Pakistan. The decision has stirred discussions, especially after ex-wicketkeeper Rashid Latif suggested that financial reasons were a significant factor in Younis’s choice.

Younis, a celebrated T20 World Cup-winning captain for Pakistan, joined the Afghan squad ahead of the tournament, playing a crucial role in helping them acclimate to the Pakistani playing conditions. His mentorship appears to be paying off, as Afghanistan recently made headlines by knocking England out of the tournament.

Strategic Hiring of Local Mentors

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) chief executive Naseeb Khan defended the decision to hire Younis, emphasizing the team’s successful history of employing mentors from host nations during crucial ICC tournaments. “It was essential to appoint an experienced mentor from the host country,” Naseeb explained, drawing on past successes with local mentors.

In previous tournaments, Afghanistan has demonstrated its knack for leveraging local expertise. They secured notable victories during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India under the guidance of Ajay Jadeja and reached their first-ever ICC semi-final in the 2024 T20 World Cup with the help of West Indies legend Dwayne Bravo.

A Bright Future Ahead

Under Younis’s mentorship, Afghanistan rebounded from an opening defeat to South Africa with a thrilling win against England. As they gear up to face Australia in their final group-stage match, the team is riding high on confidence and aiming for further success.

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