Pakistan's Younis Khan to coach Afghanistan after retirement

What’s the story?

Pakistan cricket legend Younis Khan is all set to become the next coach of Afghanistan cricket after he retires from all forms of cricket after the ongoing Test series against the West Indies.

Atif Mashal, the head of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed that Younis had agreed to the role and will soon take over as coach.

We are currently finalising his contract,” Mashal said while talking to a news channel in Pakistan.

In case you didn’t know...

39-year-old Younis Khan is currently playing his final series in a Pakistan shirt as his side are taking on West Indies in the third and final Test at the Windsor Park Dominica. The series is currently tied at 1-1 with Pakistan winning the first Test by 7 wickets and the hosts bouncing back and winning the second Test by 106 runs after bowling the visitors out for 81 in the 2^nd innings.

The Details:

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan has suggested that the board had some other plans with Younis and were planning on making him work with the U-19 cricketers to help groom them for the ICC Youth World Cup. However, nothing has been finalised yet.

Extra Cover: The Younis Khan legacy: Of pure grit and unbridled gumption

Afghanistan cricket have had quite a few Pakistani cricketers coach their side in the past as well. Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq was the head coach of the team until he was offered the role of the chief selector with the PCB. Other cricketers such as Rashid Latif and Kamran Khan too, have had the opportunity to coach the national team.

What’s next?

The final decision of him being handed the responsibility of the side will be finalised once the third Test between Pakistan and West Indies comes to an end and Younis officially retires. The Test is scheduled to end on May 14^th, 2017.

Author’s Take

Afghanistan cricket, who have been going through a great run of form over the past couple of years would count themselves lucky to have a legend in the form of Younis Khan to coach their side.

The Pakistani great would bring a lot of experience along with him and would be able to guide Afghanistan cricket to great heights in the future. They are all set to achieve the status of a Test nation very soon and it will be extremely interesting to see how Younis Khan would be able to guide the side.