Champions Trophy 2025: Afghanistan Rope in Pakistan Batting Great as Mentor For ICC Tournament

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Afghanistan hire home expertise for third ICC tournament in a row as the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has roped in Pakistan batting great Younis Khan as mentor for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to begin on February 19.

After hiring former India international Ajay Jadeja for the 2023 World Cup in India, and Dwayne Bravo as bowling consultant at the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and U.S, Afghanistan has turned to Younis Khan for the Champions Trophy.

During Jadeja's stint with the side, Afghanistan defeated the likes of England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the ODI World Cup, and then they reached the semi-finals under the guidance of Bravo at the T20 World Cup.

The ACB said in a statement on Wednesday (January 8) that the 47-year-old great will join the team in Pakistan ahead of the Champions Trophy and will stay with Afghanistan during the tournament.

Younis, who played 118 Tests, 265 ODIs and 25 T20s for Pakistan, retired from international cricket in 2017 and briefly worked with the national team as batting coach in 2021 before quitting after differences with the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Afghanistan has been drawn in Group B with England, Australia and South Africa. They will play their first match against South Africa in Karachi on February 21 followed by games against England and Australia in Lahore on February 26 and 28 respectively.

With their games being played in Pakistan, Afghanistan have opted for Younis, who is set for a second stint with the side, having previously worked with the team at a training camp in Abu Dhabi in 2022.

"Since the Champions Trophy is being held in Pakistan, it was required to assign a talented and experienced player as mentor from the hosting country," ACB chief executive Naseeb Khan said.

Afghanistan finished sixth at the World Cup in India after beating England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to seal its Champions Trophy place. At the T20 World Cup, Afghanistan advanced to the semifinals.

The Champions Trophy will begin February 19 at Karachi. India, which is in Group A with Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh, will play all its games in Dubai.