Former Pakistan cricket team captain Younis Khan has advised the Green Shirts to win the final of Asia Cup 2025 and extend their hands to the Indian players, who have been refraining from shaking hands to much criticism.
Speaking to the media at the NIPA Sports Complex in Karachi on Wednesday, Younis Khan emphasized, “Exit politics and play for the team, play for the nation and the country, not for yourselves.”
He questioned that if fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi can bat in the Asia Cup, why can’t other players? “Shaheen has the potential to become an all-rounder,” he opined.
“Imagine the thrill,” he said of the potential of a Pakistan-India final. “Win and prove that you are the best sportsmen.”
The former captain pointed out that Pakistan team is inconsistent. “To win, it is essential to play well. Matches are won through good planning.”
He observed, “Neither the Indian team nor the Pakistani team is weak. India’s plus point is that they make fewer changes to their team.”
Khan advised, “The Indian players know they have to play. The Green Shirts should also avoid spoiling their combination by making too many changes.”
Younis Khan stressed that politics and sports should be separate. He said, “Indian cricketers not shaking hands are against the spirit of sportsmanship. They are not shaking hands on the instructions of their government.”
He added, “If our government also says that you must not shake hands, perhaps we won’t either. We will have to follow the instructions of our government.”
It merits mention that in both group and Super Four matches against Pakistan, the Indian team displayed an unsportsmanlike attitude. At the toss, Indian captain did not shake hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha. After defeating Pakistan, Indian players closed their dressing room door to avoid meeting the Pakistani squad. They repeated the same in the Super Four clash, skipping handshakes at the toss and avoiding interaction after the win.
Younis Khan raised Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as talented cricketers. He described his experience working with Afghanistan as a batting consultant as positive, noting he received great respect there.
He concluded, “Most of the Afghan team players grew up in front of me. No team is number one or number two in Asia. The team that wins on a given day is the one deserving of the number one position.”
Pakistan is scheduled to face Bangladesh today, in a must-win clash. If Pakistan wins this match, they will advance to the Asia Cup final, where they will meet India for the third time in the tournament. The Asia Cup final is set for September 28.