Younis Khan’s Mentorship Decision: Financial Motivations Behind…

Rashid Latif revealed that Younis Khan chose to mentor Afghanistan over Pakistan during the 2025 Champions Trophy primarily due to financial reasons. Afghanistan’s strong performance led by Younis, who joined as a mentor, contrasts significantly with Pakistan’s poor showing, resulting in an early exit from the tournament.

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has revealed the reason behind why renowned batsman Younis Khan opted to mentor Afghanistan instead of his home country during the 2025 Champions Trophy. Following Pakistan’s early exit from the tournament after two losses and a rain-affected tie, Latif indicated that the absence of financial incentives played a crucial role in Younis’s decision to support their competitors.

Younis Khan joined the Afghanistan coaching staff before the tournament, collaborating with head coach Jonathan Trott, who has previously led the team to success. His involvement proved instrumental, as Afghanistan scored an impressive 325 runs against England and secured a narrow eight-run victory in a crucial match. Their performance demonstrated growth in batting strength, particularly against formidable bowlers.

In stark contrast, Pakistan’s batting lineup appeared lackluster, lacking confidence and aggression in their matches against New Zealand and India. The team was unable to chase 321 runs in their opener and failed to defend a low score of 242 in a high-stakes match against India, where Virat Kohli’s performance clinched the game for the rivals.

Latif stated, “Younis Khan said no to Pakistan cricket to work with Afghanistan. There are no financial benefits here,” during a discussion on Geo News following Afghanistan’s win over England. Meanwhile, Naseeb Khan, the chief executive officer of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), justified Younis’s appointment, emphasizing its necessity given the tournament’s location and the benefits derived from foreign mentors in past contests.

As Afghanistan prepares to face Australia, they aim to make history with a potential semi-finals qualification in their first Champions Trophy appearance. With one victory and one defeat under their belt, Afghanistan’s upcoming match against Australia is crucial. If conditions permit, they must secure an upset to advance or risk elimination, even if points are shared due to rain.

In summary, Younis Khan’s decision to mentor Afghanistan rather than Pakistan highlights financial motivations that influenced his choice. Despite Pakistan’s swift exit from the Champions Trophy, Afghanistan’s strong performance under Younis has showcased their competitive spirit. The ongoing tournament poses a significant opportunity for Afghanistan to achieve a historical milestone in their cricketing journey, contrasting sharply with the misfortunes of the Pakistan team.

Original Source: www.wionews.com