Afghanistan has brought former Pakistan captain Younis Khan on board as a mentor for its men’s cricket team in preparation for the Champions Trophy set to take place next month in Pakistan.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced this decision on Wednesday, stating that the 47-year-old batting legend will join the squad in Pakistan prior to the tournament and will remain with them throughout the event.
Younis Khan, who has an impressive record with 118 Test matches, 265 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 25 Twenty20s under his belt for Pakistan, hung up his boots from international cricket in 2017.
Following his retirement, he briefly served as the batting coach for the Pakistani national side in 2021 but stepped down soon after due to disagreements with the Pakistan Cricket Board.
In the upcoming Champions Trophy, Afghanistan finds itself in Group B alongside England, Australia, and South Africa. Their opening match is scheduled against South Africa in Karachi on February 21.
There has been a significant call for England to refrain from playing against Afghanistan, with over 160 politicians from the U.K. urging the England and Wales Cricket Board to take a stance against the Taliban’s oppressive policies, particularly concerning women’s rights.
This marks Younis Khan’s second involvement with the Afghanistan team, having previously worked with them during a training camp held in Abu Dhabi in 2022.
This will also be the third consecutive major ICC tournament where Afghanistan has tapped into local expertise, following the appointments of former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja during the 2023 World Cup held in India, and Dwayne Bravo as a bowling consultant for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the U.S.
Naseeb Khan, the CEO of the ACB, stated that given the Champions Trophy’s location in Pakistan, it was important to choose a talented and seasoned player from the host country to fulfill the mentor role.
Afghanistan’s journey in the World Cup in India saw them finishing in sixth place, with noteworthy victories over teams such as England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, which allowed them to secure a spot in the Champions Trophy.
Additionally, they reached the semifinals in the T20 World Cup.
The Champions Trophy is slated to commence on February 19 in Karachi.
India, situated in Group A alongside Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, will conduct all of its matches in Dubai.
