Former Pakistan batsman Younis Khan has thanked Emirates Cricket Board for its assistance to Afghanistan cricket. Younis, who is currently with the Afghanistan cricket team as a batting consultant in the ongoing 23-day camp in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has praised the gulf nation for its constant support of Afghanistan cricket, hoping for growth as two great cricketing nations by mutual cooperation.
"Thank you to Abu Dhabi Cricket and UAE cricket; they're helping Afghanistan cricket. They were helping the Pakistan cricket team for long periods, now Afghanistan. So, I hope the bonding is there, and it's my wish that UAE and the Afghanistan Cricket Board gel together, they help each other, and they rise together", Younis was quoted as saying by 'The National News'.
Following a horrific terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009, Pakistan was sidelined by all touring countries owing to security issues. In the tough days, UAE came forward to help the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) by providing its grounds to host Pakistan's home matches.
As a result, Pakistan adopted UAE as its home for more than a decade, which developed a beautiful bond between the two corresponding cricket boards. Remembering those days, Younis said that UAE has always given the feel of home because of the similarity in the weather and pitch conditions. Apart from that, one can find many people from Pakistan and Afghanistan in UAE, a fact that never lets the players from these two countries feel alienated.
Further, the legendary cricketer with 118 Test caps revealed that this gathering in the holy month of Ramzan had brought the entire unit together. Elaborating, Younis said that they pray and dine together, which has played a significant role in strengthening team bonding.
"The holy month of Ramadan provides much bonding for the team because you have Iftari, and then you have Sehri," Younis said. "You pray together, so these kinds of things are good for the team and, especially if you're away from home, you need this kind of bonding", the 44-year-old concluded.