Younis Khan declines PCB’s offer to coach Under-19 team

Pakistan batting great Younis Khan has declined the offer to coach Pakistan under-19 team, after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refused to accept his demand of being appointed the chief selector of the side simultaneously.

PCB was keen to follow Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s Under-19 and A team model, where former cricketer Rahul Dravid was put in charge, which has been effective in nurturing players for the national side. 

"The idea was to have a high-profile cricketer work with the junior players on long-term basis instead of the old practice of having lesser known names attached to the Pakistan under-19 side," a PCB official said while talking to Press Trust of India.

PCB decided against considering Khan’s demand because it would have led to Conflict of Interest.

"At the moment, it appears that Younis will not be working for the PCB as he has made it clear he wants total independence to work and get results with the junior team," he added.

Khan, who brought the curtain down on his career in 2017, after becoming the first Pakistan batsman to reach 10,000 Test runs.

The Pakistan under-19 team recently had its tour to Sri Lanka called off due to the bomb blasts in Colombo and surrounding areas, while it is bound to tour South Africa, in June, in a bid to prepare for the junior World Cup.