Younis is expected to bring a wealth of knowledge to the Afghan team, offering valuable guidance during the Champions Trophy campaign

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is 40 days away, but stadiums in Pakistan are far from ready. Construction is still ongoing at venues in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. The ICC is concerned about the venues meeting requirements on time.

Pakistan was originally scheduled to host the entire tournament in three cities – Lahore, Karachi and Rawapindi. However, the country might end up missing out entirely on hosting its first global event since the 1996 World Cup.

Critical upgrades, including multi-story enclosures for dressing rooms and hospitality boxes, floodlight installations, seat arrangements, and fencing, are still incomplete

Pakistan last hosted a global tournament at home in 1996, when it co-hosted the ODI World Cup with India and Sri Lanka

The ECB is against forfeiting the game – if England do not play, Afghanistan get full points. Given how small the cricketing world is, the ICC can ill afford to hurt the game in Afghanistan. And then there is the all-important question of what India thinks.

The ACB said Younis will join the team in Pakistan for a conditioning camp ahead of the Champions Trophy, and stay on for the duration of the tournament

Hashmatullah Shahidi-led Afghanistan will have the services of former Pakistan captain Younis Khan as their mentor for ICC Champions Trophy 2025.