Younis Khan appointed as Afghanistan mentor for Champions Trophy

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has been named the mentor for Afghanistan’s cricket team ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced the appointment on Wednesday, confirming that Younis will join the team before the tournament begins in Pakistan.

Younis Khan, who amassed 10,099 runs in 118 Test matches, previously served as Afghanistan’s batting coach in 2022. His appointment is seen as a strategic move to bolster the team’s preparation for the prestigious tournament, scheduled from 19 February to 9 March 2025.

“ACB has assigned former experienced top-order Pakistani player Younis Khan as a mentor for the Champions Trophy 2025. He [Younis] will join the team before the event starts in Pakistan,” said ACB spokesman Sayeed Naseem Sadat.

Younis, a celebrated figure in cricket, led Pakistan to the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup title and has held various coaching roles, including with Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League and the Bangla Tigers in the Abu Dhabi T10 League.

Afghanistan, part of Group B alongside Australia, South Africa, and England, aims to leverage Younis’s expertise to strengthen its competitive edge. Group A includes Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh.

The tournament will take place in Pakistan and Dubai, making it a significant event for Afghanistan’s cricket journey.

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