January 8, 2025: The Afghanistan Cricket Board’s (ACB) appointment of former Pakistan cricketer Younis Khan as the mentor for Afghanistan’s national team ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is a significant and strategic move. Younis Khan, with his vast experience in international cricket, brings a wealth of knowledge to the Afghan team, particularly given the tournament’s special significance and the conditions in Pakistan, where the event will take place.
Younis Khan’s credentials speak for themselves. His illustrious career includes over 10,000 runs in Tests, more than 7,000 runs in ODIs, and a remarkable 34 Test centuries, which is a record for Pakistan. His career-best 313 against Sri Lanka in 2009 was a monumental achievement, and his status as one of Pakistan’s greatest batsmen makes him a valuable asset for Afghanistan as they prepare for the Champions Trophy.
The fact that Afghanistan will be playing the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, a country with which Younis has had immense success and familiarity, makes him an ideal choice for the role. The ACB CEO, Naseeb Khan, rightly noted that Afghanistan needed a mentor with a deep understanding of the conditions in Pakistan, and Younis’ insight into playing in these conditions could prove crucial, especially as the team adjusts to the environment and expectations of a high-profile tournament.
Younis will accompany the team during their conditioning and preparation camp in Pakistan, providing mentorship throughout the lead-up to the tournament. This type of hands-on guidance could be invaluable for Afghanistan, a team that has shown tremendous potential in recent years but may still benefit from experience in handling the pressure of major ICC events like the Champions Trophy.
The Champions Trophy, returning after a seven-year hiatus, is set to be a high-stakes event, with some of the best cricketing nations in the world competing. Afghanistan’s opener against South Africa on February 21 will be crucial, and Younis’ expertise in navigating big tournaments will help guide the team in such key encounters. The tournament’s format, with matches spread across Pakistan and Dubai, adds a layer of complexity in terms of adapting to varying conditions, and having someone like Younis Khan, who has played in all kinds of conditions, can help the team stay focused and adaptable.
The format and structure of the Champions Trophy—featuring eight teams, including Afghanistan, and taking place across iconic venues like Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi in Pakistan, as well as Dubai—promise to create an exciting and competitive atmosphere. The India-Pakistan clash in Dubai on February 23 is one of the marquee matchups, and the final on March 9 in Lahore, barring India’s qualification, will likely be a historic occasion for the host nation.
Younis’ appointment is another example of the growing trend of experienced international players being brought in as mentors to help nurture emerging teams, as seen in previous events like the ODI World Cup 2023 and T20I World Cup 2024. His leadership and tactical input could prove essential for Afghanistan as they aim to compete with the best in the world on cricket’s biggest stage.
Overall, the ACB’s decision to bring in Younis Khan as a mentor not only strengthens Afghanistan’s preparation for the Champions Trophy but also signals their intent to make a mark in the tournament. With a mentor of his calibre guiding them, Afghanistan will hope to make the most of the opportunity, learning from the lessons of seasoned international cricket while showcasing their own emerging talent.
