In a surprising revelation, former cricketer Rashid Latif has disclosed the reason behind Younis Khan’s decision to mentor Afghanistan instead of Pakistan during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Younis, a legendary figure in Pakistan cricket, was appointed as a mentor by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) ahead of the tournament, which is currently underway in Pakistan and the UAE.
Why did Younis Khan join Afghanistan as mentor?
According to Latif, Younis turned down an opportunity to work with Pakistan’s cricket team due to a lack of financial benefits. “Younis Khan said no to Pakistan cricket to work with Afghanistan. There are no financial benefits here,” Latif stated during a recent interview on Geo News. This statement has sparked debate about the financial incentives offered by PCB compared to those provided by ACB.
Younis Khan’s impact on Afghanistan
Younis Khan’s involvement with Afghanistan has been instrumental in their impressive performance in the tournament. Under his mentorship, Afghanistan registered a crucial victory over England, keeping their semi-final hopes alive. The ACB defended the appointment, citing the strategic importance of hiring mentors from host nations, a tactic that has yielded positive results in previous tournaments.
Afghanistan’s strategy of leveraging local expertise has been successful, with previous mentors like Ajay Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo contributing to significant wins in major tournaments. In the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, Afghanistan brought in Jadeja, under whom they secured historic wins against England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Similarly, they hired former West Indies skipper Bravo for the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, where they reached their first-ever ICC semi-final.
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Strategic decision by ACB
The ACB’s decision to appoint Younis as a mentor was influenced by the tournament’s location in Pakistan. “Since the Champions Trophy is being held in Pakistan, it was essential to appoint an experienced and talented mentor from the host country,” explained Naseeb Khan, ACB’s chief executive, stated in a press release. This strategic move has allowed Afghanistan to gain valuable insights into playing conditions in Pakistan, which has been crucial in their campaign.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s early exit from the tournament has sparked widespread criticism, with their batting performance being particularly underwhelming. The contrast between Afghanistan’s progress and Pakistan’s struggles has highlighted the impact of strategic mentorship in international cricket. Pakistan, the hosts of the tournament, were eliminated after losing consecutive matches to New Zealand and India.
