Former Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan has been named as the mentor for Afghanistan’s national team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, starting February 19. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed the appointment on Wednesday.
“Younis Khan will join the team during their preparation camp in Pakistan and provide mentorship until the end of the tournament,” the ACB stated.
This isn’t Younis’s first stint with Afghanistan; he previously worked as their batting coach in April 2022.
ACB CEO Naseeb Khan explained the decision:
“Since the Champions Trophy is in Pakistan, we wanted a mentor with local expertise. Younis Khan’s experience and understanding of Pakistani conditions make him the ideal choice. We’ve had success with mentors from hosting nations in past tournaments and wish Younis the best for this important role.”
The Champions Trophy 2025 kicks off with defending champions Pakistan facing New Zealand in Karachi. Younis will use his vast coaching and playing experience to guide Afghanistan, leveraging his deep knowledge of the host country’s conditions.
Younis is a cricket legend in Pakistan, famously leading the team to their only ICC T20 World Cup title in 2009 and becoming the first Pakistani to score over 10,000 runs in Test cricket.