Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refused to comment as former batting coach and Zimbabwe batsman Grant Flower claimed that Pakistani cricketer Younis Khan “had a knife to his throat” when he tried to give him some advice.

The former Zimbabwe batsman, who served as Pakistan’s batting coach from 2014 to 2019, recalled the incident which happened during a Test match against Australia in Brisbane back in 2016 while speaking on the Following On Cricket podcast.

“Younis Khan… quite tough to master,” said Flower. “Obviously, (he had) a brilliant career. I remember one incident in Brisbane, during the Test, at breakfast I tried to give him a bit of batting advice, not that my career was anywhere near his regarding stats, as he is the highest scorer in Pakistan Test cricket but he didn’t take kindly to my advice and brought a knife to my throat, with Mickey Arthur sitting alongside, who had to intervene.

“Yeah, it’s been interesting but that’s part of coaching. It makes it a hell of a journey and I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve still got a lot to learn but I’m very fortunate to be in the position I am.”

His remarks come as Pakistan are preparing for a three-match Test series and three Tests against England.

Younis was dismissed for a golden duck in the first innings of the Brisbane Test. He went on to score 65 in the second innings but could not prevent Pakistan from losing the game by 39 runs.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refused to comment on Grant Flower's charges against Younis Khan.

The Pakistan Cricket Board and the national team touring England have refused to comment on Grant Flower's stunning claim.

An official response was not forthcoming from the PCB but a well-informed source in the board told Indian news agency PTI that the incident wasn't a case of a serious threat as portrayed by Flower but just friendly banter on the breakfast table.

"But the impression being spread by Grant Flower is not entirely true. Younis apparently had jokingly picked up the butter knife and waved it around telling Grant to just let him have his breakfast and not give advice at the breakfast table," the source said.

Younis is unlikely to respond to Grant's narration of what happened, the source added.

On being contacted, the media manager of the Pakistan squad in Worcestershire said there would be no comments on the matter for now.

The PCB source said it was saddening to see former coaches and support staff, who have worked with the Pakistan team, disclose confidential information in public once their contracts end.

"And they also tend to add salt and pepper to incidents to grab headlines," he asserted.

Younis agreed to become the batting coach of the Pakistan team for the long England tour just last month. The former captain is Pakistan's leading Test run-getter and the only one from the country to cross 10,000 runs in the five-day format.