Younis Khan snubbed Pakistan to mentor Afghanistan in CT 2025: Rashid Latif

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan’s decision to mentor Afghanistan’s national team during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has drawn attention, with ex-wicketkeeper Rashid Latif suggesting financial reasons influenced his choice.

Latif claimed in a recent interview that Younis turned down an opportunity to work with Pakistan’s squad, instead opting to assist Afghanistan.

"Younis Khan said no to Pakistan cricket to work with Afghanistan. There are no financial benefits here," Latif stated on a local news TV show after Afghanistan eliminated England from the tournament.

Younis, a T20 World Cup-winning captain, was appointed as Afghanistan’s mentor by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) ahead of the Champions Trophy. The ACB stated that his experience would provide valuable insights into playing conditions in Pakistan, one of the host nations.

"Since the Champions Trophy is being held in Pakistan, it was required to assign a talented and experienced player as a mentor from the hosting country," the ACB said in a statement.

Younis is regarded as a legend in Pakistan cricket, leading the team to its only T20 World Cup title in 2009 and remaining the country’s highest Test run-scorer.