Former Test captain Younis Khan has expressed optimism about Pakistan’s prospects of reaching the semi-finals of the 2025 Champions Trophy, which will be held in Pakistan. Speaking at the Asghar Ali Shah Cricket Stadium in Karachi, the former skipper Khan stressed the significance of the tournament being hosted by Pakistan and its potential to provide a significant boost to the national team. Khan noted that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) plays a crucial role in organizing the Champions Trophy and that the event’s presence on home soil is a major development for the country’s cricketing landscape. He firmly believes that Pakistan's home advantage will help the team perform well in critical encounters.

“Pakistan will make it to the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy,” he predicted. Younis Khan names candidate for Pakistan captaincy after T20 World Cup exit The former captain also voiced his support for the resumption of regular cricket matches between Pakistan and India, underlining the importance of these encounters for player development. Former skipper Khan highlighted that facing top-tier teams like India pushes players to perform at their best, stating, “Playing against India makes you a better player, and I have always advocated for more Pakistan-India cricket.” On the subject of Pakistan’s current squad, Younis Khan praised the talent of opening batsman Fakhar Zaman, urging that he should be included in the national team.

He also emphasized the importance of experienced players such as Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali, both of whom have made significant contributions to Pakistan's cricketing success, particularly in foreign conditions. “These players should be included in the team and supported for their contributions,” Khan said. Khan also spoke positively about the combination of Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman as Pakistan’s opening pair, expressing confidence in their ability to provide strong starts. He suggested that this duo has the potential to set up big totals, possibly even reaching 400 runs. “These two should be part of the team as openers,” Khan emphasized.

Additionally, Khan lauded fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi for his stellar performance in recent times. The former captain commended Afridi’s exceptional form, describing him as a key asset for Pakistan's bowling attack. “Shaheen Afridi is performing exceptionally well, and he is flying high like the Shaheens,” Khan said. Addressing the increasing influence of franchise cricket, Khan stated that the PCB should embrace the support from this growing sector. While acknowledging the challenges of organizing grassroots-level cricket competitions, he noted the rising importance of local-level cricket. “There’s no need for the PCB to be afraid of community-level cricket competitions,” Khan concluded.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)