Why Younis Khan Chose Afghanistan Over Pakistan? Money or More?

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan is now mentoring the Afghanistan cricket team. This move, instead of working with Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025, has caused a lot of talk. Former wicketkeeper Rashid Latif thinks money played a big part in Younis’s decision.

In a recent interview, Rashid Latif said Younis turned down a chance to help Pakistan. Instead, he chose to work with Afghanistan. Younis Khan said no to Pakistan cricket to work with Afghanistan. There are no financial benefits here,” Latif said on a Geo News show, after Afghanistan beat England in the tournament.

Younis Khan, who led Pakistan to a T20 World Cup win, became a mentor for Afghanistan before the Champions Trophy. He joined the Afghan team for a training camp. Also, he helped them get used to the conditions in Pakistan.

However, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) chief executive Naseeb Khan defended the appointment. He said the team has a strategy of hiring mentors from the countries hosting ICC tournaments. “Since the Champions Trophy is being held in Pakistan, it was essential to appoint an experienced and talented mentor from the host country,” Naseeb explained. “We have previously benefited from working with mentors from host nations during the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup.”

In fact, Afghanistan has a history of using local experts for big tournaments. In the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, they brought in Ajay Jadeja. With his help, they won important matches against England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Similarly, they hired West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo for the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies. They even reached their first-ever ICC semi-final.

Under Younis’s guidance, Afghanistan has performed well. After losing their first match to South Africa in Karachi, they bounced back with a big win against England in Lahore. Now, Hashmatullah Shahidi’s team will play Australia in their last group match at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. They hope to continue their good run.

Furthermore, the debate over Younis Khan’s decision continues. Many people are wondering why he chose to work with Afghanistan instead of his own country. Some believe that money was the main reason, as Rashid Latif suggested. Others think that Younis wanted to try something new and help a team that is growing.

Moreover, the success of Afghanistan under Younis’s mentorship has shown the value of having experienced mentors. His knowledge of Pakistani conditions has been very helpful for the team. Additionally, his experience as a former captain has helped Hashmatullah Shahidi and the other players.

Younis Khan’s decision to mentor Afghanistan has sparked a lot of discussion. While some people question his motives, others praise his contribution to the Afghan team. Regardless, his impact on Afghanistan’s performance in the Champions Trophy is clear.