Younis Khan is mentoring Afghanistan during the 2025 Champions Trophy, leading to a notable victory over England. Former cricketer Rashid Latif noted Khan’s decision to forgo a role with Pakistan cricket, illustrating a commitment without financial motives. The Afghanistan Cricket Board appointed Khan strategically for local expertise, mirroring successful past experiences. Afghanistan now aims to secure a semi-final position against Australia after their impressive performances.
Younis Khan has taken on the role of mentor for the Afghanistan cricket team during the 2025 Champions Trophy, a move that follows a significant victory over England, which has kept Afghanistan’s hopes alive in the tournament. His decision to transition from potentially working with Pakistan to mentoring Afghanistan has spurred considerable discussion in the cricketing community, particularly regarding his motivations.
Former cricketer Rashid Latif commented on Khan’s choice, emphasizing that he turned down opportunities with Pakistan cricket for this role. Latif remarked, “Younis Khan said no to Pakistan cricket to work with Afghanistan. There will be no financial benefits here,” highlighting the selfless nature of Khan’s commitment to the Afghan team.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) strategically appointed Younis as a mentor, given the tournament’s presence in Pakistan. ACB chief executive Naseeb Khan explained the rationale behind this decision, mentioning, “Since the Champions Trophy is being held in Pakistan, it was required to assign a talented and experienced player as a mentor from the hosting country,” showcasing their intent to leverage local expertise.
Afghanistan’s previous experiences with host nation mentors have proven fruitful. For instance, Ajay Jadeja was brought on board for the ODI World Cup 2023, and Dwayne Bravo for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024. These decisions have positively influenced Afghanistan’s performance, underscoring their emerging stature in international cricket.
The efficacy of Younis Khan’s mentorship manifested during Afghanistan’s match against England, where Ibrahim Zadran’s impressive 177 and Azmatullah Omarzai’s five-wicket haul contributed to an exhilarating eight-run victory. Despite a strong effort from England’s Joe Root, who scored a century, Afghanistan’s triumph illustrates their growing competitiveness on the world stage.
Afghanistan’s ability to challenge established cricketing nations marks a pivotal development in their cricketing journey. They now aim to advance to the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy, seeking victory against Australia in their next must-win match in Lahore, as they continue to build a reputation as a formidable team.
Younis Khan’s transition to mentor the Afghanistan cricket team has garnered significant attention, especially following their recent victory over England. His choice to turn down Pakistan cricket offers insights into his commitment to Afghanistan without financial incentives. The strategic appointment by the ACB is reflective of an approach that has previously yielded successful outcomes. As Afghanistan prepares for their upcoming match against Australia, their growing reputation in international cricket continues to flourish.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
