Malik Waqar
Former Test captain and renowned batter Younis Khan has expressed hope that Pakistan will successfully qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
He emphasized the importance of fully supporting the selected squad, stating that unnecessary criticism could put pressure on the players.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Younis Khan said, “The team selected for the Champions Trophy consists of the best available players, and the key to good performance is mental fitness. The players have the talent to make it to the top four teams of the Champions Trophy.”
He also praised senior batsman Fakhar Zaman, saying, “he could play a pivotal role in leading Pakistan to victory with a memorable innings, as he has done in the past.”
“The team selected for the Champions Trophy is fairly well-balanced. We have experienced and top-quality batsmen like Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan. On the bowling front, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah will be essential fast bowlers for Pakistan,” Younis added.
He expressed regret over the unfortunate injury to young talent, Saim Ayub, which will keep him out of the Champions Trophy.
“It’s unfortunate that Saim Ayub, a young and talented player, won’t be part of the team due to injury. Pakistan won’t be able to benefit from his skills in this mega event,” he said.
Younis also spoke about the challenges faced during team selection for big events like the World Cup or Champions Trophy. He emphasized that players are selected based on their performances, and once the squad is named, the players should be given full support rather than being criticized.
“Team selection is done based on performance, and once the squad is chosen, the players should be fully supported. Criticism and unnecessary changes only create pressure on the players,” Younis said.
“Before the World Cup, there were too many changes due to excessive criticism. Now, there should be less focus on making changes to the team. Instead, we should work on bringing in new talent at the grassroots level, and give them opportunities in schools, colleges, and clubs.”
Younis also thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for naming an enclosure at the National Stadium in his honour.
“I am thankful to Allah for giving me the opportunity to serve Pakistan. We, as players, did not do any favors to the country; we just served it with pride. My records and those of other players are on Google and no one can erase them,” he said.
He even jokingly offered his services to strengthen Pakistan’s batting line-up, saying, “I am ready to serve Pakistan and help strengthen the team’s batting.”
In concluding remarks, Younis Khan urged that the team should be supported without pressure and that efforts be made to bring forward new talent in cricket.
