Former Test captain Younis Khan has expressed confidence in Pakistan’s chances of making it to the semi-finals of the 2025 Champions Trophy, which will be held in Pakistan. Speaking at the Asghar Ali Shah Cricket Stadium in Karachi, Khan stated that the event’s hosting by Pakistan is a positive step and that he expects the national team to perform well.
Younis Khan highlighted the crucial role of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in organizing the Champions Trophy and emphasized that the tournament’s presence in Pakistan is a significant development. He believes that the home advantage will give Pakistan a boost, especially in crucial matches. “Pakistan will make it to the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy,” he predicted.
The former captain also voiced his support for the resumption of regular cricket matches between Pakistan and India, underscoring the importance of such encounters for players’ development. He added, “Playing against India makes you a better player, and I have always advocated for more Pakistan-India cricket.” Khan believes that competing against top-tier teams pushes players to excel and grow in their careers.
Khan also praised the talent of Fakhar Zaman, urging that he should be part of the national team. He specifically pointed out the significance of experienced players like Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali, both of whom have played a considerable amount of cricket abroad and have contributed significantly to Pakistan’s success over the years. “These players should be included in the team and supported for their contributions,” Khan said.
When discussing Pakistan’s opening pair, Younis Khan expressed optimism about the combination of Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman. He believes that this duo has the potential to provide Pakistan with strong starts in ODI cricket, capable of setting up big innings, possibly even scoring 400 runs. “These two should be part of the team as openers,” Khan suggested, despite their relatively low numbers at present.
Addressing the performance of fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, Khan praised the young pacer for his exceptional form. “Shaheen Afridi is performing exceptionally well, and he is flying high like the Shaheens,” Khan noted, indicating that Afridi is a key asset for Pakistan’s bowling attack.
In response to questions about the role of franchise cricket, Younis Khan stated that the PCB should embrace the support it receives from the growing franchise cricket scene. He noted that local-level cricket is increasingly important, but organizing tournaments at the grassroots level remains a challenging task. “There’s no need for the PCB to be afraid of community-level cricket competitions,” he concluded.
