Younis Khan plays football alongside Brazilian coach Romildo Sanchez

KARACHI: Younis Khan, former captain of Pakistan Cricket team and the country's highest Test scorer, participated in a football match along side fellow cricketers in Karachi on Saturday.

Younis was joined by former teammates Tanvir Ahmed, Danish Kaneria, and Khurram Manzoor along with others. The cricketers took on a team led by Brazilian football coach Romildo Sanchez.

Players from both teams – cricketers and footballers – showcased football skills in the 30-minute game, which was won by Romildo's team after a nail biting contest.

After scores were levelled 2-2 at the end of the second half, both teams scored seven goals each in the 10-penalty-kicks round, leading to a final face-off between the two captains, Younis and Romildo.

The Pakistani cricketer was first to kick the ball, but missed the nets and then failed to block when Romildo took his turn.

Sindh Sports Minister Sardar Mohammad Bakhsh Mahar also participated in the match, which marked the end of Romildo's ten-day visit to Karachi.

This wasn't the first encounter between Younis and Romildo; they had met at an earlier event where they agreed to play a game of football.

Younis said he was happy to play football, although it was a festival game.

"Football is always good for fitness and I always loved this game," he said.

“Maradona is my all-time favorite,” he said when asked who he idolised in football.

The former cricket captain said sports can bring people together and that he would love to teach cricket to his Brazilian counterpart.

During his visit, Sanchez – who is the Director Players Club of Tampa Bay, Florida-USA – is imparted training to students of different schools and five district associations of the provincial metropolis. 

He also held training sessions for the youth of Lyari — where football is a popular sport.