Younis Khan appointed Afghanistan cricket team mentor for ICC Champions Trophy

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has been appointed as the mentor of the Afghanistan cricket team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to begin on February 19 in Karachi.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) spokesperson Sayeed Naseem Sadat confirmed the news, stating that Younis Khan has been entrusted with the responsibility of mentoring the team for the prestigious tournament. He is expected to join the squad ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Younis Khan previously served as the batting coach for the Afghanistan team in 2022.

In addition to his international coaching experience, he has also worked with Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Bangla Tigers in the Abu Dhabi T10 League.

Notably, Younis Khan captained Pakistan to a historic victory in the 2009 T20 World Cup.

The eight-team tournament will feature 15 matches, and will be played across Pakistan and in Dubai.

In Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi will be the three venues to host tournament play. Each Pakistan venue will feature three group games apiece, with Lahore hosting the second semi-final.

Lahore will also host the final on 9 March, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai. Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days.

The three group matches involving India, as well as the first semi-final, will be played in Dubai.

Groups:

Group A - Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh

Group B - South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, England

Champions Trophy Schedule:

19 February, Pakistan v New Zealand, Karachi, Pakistan

20 February, Bangladesh v India, Dubai

21 February, Afghanistan v South Africa, Karachi, Pakistan

22 February, Australia v England, Lahore, Pakistan

23 February, Pakistan v India, Dubai

24 February, Bangladesh v New Zealand, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

25 February, Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

26 February, Afghanistan v England, Lahore, Pakistan

27 February, Pakistan v Bangladesh, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

28 February, Afghanistan v Australia, Lahore, Pakistan

1 March, South Africa v England, Karachi, Pakistan

2 March, New Zealand v India, Dubai

4 March, Semi-final 1, Dubai

5 March, Semi-final 2, Lahore, Pakistan

9 March, Final, Lahore (unless India qualify, when it will be played in Dubai)

10 March, Reserve day