Rashid Latif: Younis Khan rejected Pakistan to mentor Afghanistan in CT 2025
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
13 hours ago
- Business Recorder
‘Italian genius' Inzaghi to coach Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal
RIYADH: Former Inter boss Simone Inzaghi was revealed as the new coach of Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal on Thursday, days before they take part in the new-look Club World Cup. The Italian, who led Inter to a heavy defeat in Saturday's Champions League final, had earlier played down rumours of a two-year deal worth 50 million euros. 'I am Simone Inzaghi and today begins my story with Al Hilal,' he said in a slickly produced video posted on X, in which he sips Arabian coffee and pins an Al Hilal lapel badge on his suit. Inzaghi, 49, becomes just the latest high-profile footballing acquisition for oil-rich Saudi Arabia, which will host the World Cup in 2034. 'The Italian genius is here,' Al Hilal posted. 'Welcome, Simone Inzaghi.' Inzaghi joins the likes of Ruben Neves and Aleksandar Mitrovic at Al Hilal, which let injury-hit Neymar go in January after just seven appearances since his arrival in August 2023. A source with knowledge of the negotiations last week told AFP that the 'first option' for Cristiano Ronaldo, who has signalled he is leaving rival club Al Nassr, could be a move to Al Hilal. Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes this week said he rejected Al Hilal's reported $135 million offer because he wanted to 'continue to play at the highest level'. Neymar in talks to leave Saudi team Al-Hilal: club source Inzaghi's Inter slumped 5-0 to Qatar-funded Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday's Champions League final. His departure was confirmed on Tuesday. The former forward guided Inter to one Serie A title and two Italian Cups since joining in 2021. He took them to two Champions League finals in three seasons but lost both. On track to repeat the treble heroics of 2010 just a few weeks ago, Inter ended the season trophyless after falling away in each competition. Inter, PSG, Real Madrid and Manchester City are also among the 32 teams at the expanded Club World Cup, which starts on June 15.
Express Tribune
18 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Kohli dedicates IPL title to fans
Virat Kohli said it was "as much for the fans" after he finally won the IPL at his 18th attempt, with Bengaluru's ecstatic supporters preparing to welcome home their heroes. Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Punjab Kings by six runs in a roller-coaster IPL final Tuesday in Ahmedabad in front of more than 91,000 fans, who erupted in joy when Kohli lifted the trophy at the world's biggest cricket stadium. The 36-year-old Kohli, the only man to have played all 18 years for the same IPL team since its inaugural season in 2008, fittingly top-scored with 43 to anchor Bengaluru to victory. Kohli, who captained Bengaluru in 143 matches between 2011 and 2023, had been on the losing side in three previous IPL finals. Later Wednesday he will celebrate with his teammates at the main stadium in the southern city of Bengaluru. Police said that initial plans for an open-top bus parade would not take place in Bengaluru's notoriously bad traffic. "I said it straight away -- this title is as much for the fans as it is for us," said Kohli. "These people have backed us relentlessly for 18 years. "We've had horrible seasons and great ones too, but they turned up for every game in Bengaluru. "I've never seen loyalty like that. That's what made me stay." India cricket great Sachin Tendulkar led the tributes for Kohli and Bengaluru. "Congratulations on their first-ever IPL title. Fitting that jersey no. 18 lifts the trophy in the 18th edition," Tendulkar posted on X. Bengaluru head coach Andy Flower said: "Virat in his 18th year of competing in the IPL, I think that makes it really special for everyone involved. "I am really happy for him and really proud of the way that he's driven the side forward." 'Monkey off the back' The tech city of Bengaluru erupted in midnight celebrations after RCB, who scored 190-9, restricted Punjab to 184-7. Thousands of fans wore Kohli's number 18 shirt and danced in the streets as fireworks lit up the sky. "It's not an easy tournament to win," Punjab head coach Ricky Ponting said. "You have to think long and hard about that, think how many good teams they have had over the years. "You can see what it meant to (Kohli), his wife and all the RCB fans to finally get the monkey off the back and win an IPL title." Former Australia batsman Matthew Hayden said on broadcaster JioHotstar: "The IPL 2025 will be forever etched in the annals of cricket -- not just for Virat Kohli, but for the RCB fans who stood by them through thick and thin. "It shows how consistency and belief can finally lead to a title. Over the past five years they've always been close, and now they've crossed the line." Two-time World Cup winner Kohli had done it all in an incredible career but an IPL crown eluded the batting great until Tuesday. He cried, laughed and then lifted the glittering gold trophy for his first IPL title -- in his 18th year in the league and with the number 18 on his back. Kohli top-scored with 43 in his team's 190-9 and the crowd of 91,000 erupted when victory was secured. Affectionately called "King Kohli", he was again a key player for Bengaluru this season with 657 runs, including eight half-centuries, in 15 innings. An emotional Kohli, 36, said he gave his "youth and prime" for this moment.
Express Tribune
18 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Spain target Nations League defence
Lamine Yamal is a key player for Spain in the Nations League after helping them to win the Euros in 2024. Photo: AFP/File Spain are aiming to become the first side to defend the Nations League trophy, with Luis de la Fuente's side going from strength to strength on the international stage ahead of next year's World Cup. The coach enjoys recalling La Roja's triumph at the 2023 tournament, which was an early sign that a young Spain side were heading back to the top. It proved the springboard to Euro 2024 glory and De la Fuente wants to continue Spain's resurgence by retaining it this summer in Germany. It would bode well ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer where Spain will be among the favourites. They face France in the Nations League semi-finals in Stuttgart before a potential final against Germany or Portugal. "We attach enormous importance to it – it's almost more difficult than a European Championship, and we want to be the first team to win it twice," De la Fuente told reporters last week. "We want to continue competing at the highest level with these teams." After European Championship wins in 2008 and 2012, sandwiching their World Cup 2010 triumph in South Africa, the Spanish national team slumped. Poor outings at the Russia and Qatar World Cups started to fade from memory, though, as De la Fuente's side beat Italy and Croatia to win the Nations League. It helped him on a personal level too, with many doubting his credentials and blaming him for an embarrassing defeat by Scotland in Euro 2024 qualifying. The Scots beat De la Fuente's Spain in March 2023 in what was their last competitive defeat, 23 matches ago. Spain beat Italy, Germany and France on the way to the Euro 2024 final, where they got the better of England to claim their first major trophy for 12 years. The worrying thing for the rest of the world is that De la Fuente's Spain team remains hungry, with many players yet to reach their peak. The side is led by Barcelona's teenage winger Lamine Yamal, who turned 17 on the eve of the Euro final, and on the opposite flank Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams, 22, also has his best years ahead of him. Barcelona midfield maestro Pedri, 22 as well, pulls the strings, while there are emerging talents in other areas including Porto striker Samu Aghehowa and new Real Madrid signing Dean Huijsen. Isco's return Despite a focus on younger players, De la Fuente showed he is not stubborn by turning to Real Betis midfielder Isco. After a superb season in which the former Real Madrid playmaker took the Andalusians to the Conference League final, the 33-year-old finally got the call he craved. Some said De la Fuente should have given Isco a chance last summer but the coach was proven right as his team went on to win the Euros. "He's going to add a lot – if we had any doubts, he wouldn't have been here," said De la Fuente. "He could have been at the Euros, or not, but those who had to be there, were there." Isco's presence gives Spain even more depth in a midfield packed with quality, and one which is still without Manchester City's Rodri Hernandez who has yet to return to action after missing most of the season injured. "In Spain, we are privileged to have many very good footballers," De la Fuente said during the Euros. "I think they are the best players in the world for many reasons." In almost every position the coach is blessed with multiple strong options, with the team perhaps only short of one elite striker – although it has not held them back. Aghehowa, 21, could develop into that player, although De la Fuente ran through all of his possible options there, including veteran Alvaro Morata, Dani Olmo as a false nine, or Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored the winner against England. "This is a team, and in that team, everyone contributes their bit to make a stronger, more solid group," said De la Fuente. "Samu is fantastic, Alvaro, Mikel, Dani... we can play in many ways with different players and that is exactly what our strength is."
