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With the Champions Trophy being the next major ICC tournament, set to be played in February-March 2025 in Pakistan and the UAE, Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) have made a bold decision as they have secured the services of former Pakistan cricketer Younis Khan. The ACB on Wednesday, January 8 confirmed that Khan will serve as the side’s mentor for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy.
It is to be noted that Champions Trophy marks its return for the first time since 2017. The tournament will be played from February 19 onwards with the final scheduled for March 9. Afghanistan have been placed in Group B, alongside South Africa, Australia and England.
Younis Khan appointed Afghanistan’s mentor for Champions Trophy 2025
The former Pakistan captain and batting great, Younis Khan will once again be seen in Afghanistan colours after earlier serving as their batting coach in 2022. ACB took to social media to confirm this update with the caption reading, “ACB assigns Younas Khan as Mentor for CT25.”
“The Afghanistan Cricket Board has appointed former Pakistan’s batter Younas Khan as the mentor of the Afghanistan National team for the Champions Trophy 2025, starting on February 19 in Pakistan. Younas Khan will accompany the team during their conditioning and preparation camp in Pakistan, offering his mentorship services until the conclusion of the tournament,” it further added.
It is to be noted that it is not the first time Afghanistan has taken such an approach for an ICC tournament. Earlier during the ODI World Cup 2023 in India, Afghanistan roped in former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja as their mentor. They then secured the services of former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo for the T20 World Cup 2024, where they advanced to their first-ever semi-final in an ICC tournament.
Speaking of Afghanistan, they will kickstart their Champions Trophy campaign against South Africa on February 21 in Karachi. They will next lock horns against England in Lahore on February 26, followed by their final group stage clash scheduled against Australia on February 28 in Lahore.
