Misbah-ul-Haq named mentor of Wolves for Champions Cup

The tournament, set to be played in Faisalabad from 12-29 September, will feature the country’s top 150 cricketers

PHOTO: PCB

Former all-format head coach and captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, has been confirmed as the mentor for the Wolves team in the upcoming Champions One-Day Cup.

The tournament, set to be played in Faisalabad from 12-29 September, will feature the country’s top 150 cricketers.

On Thursday, Shoaib Malik was also named as the mentor for the Stallions, with the team’s base allocated to the Sialkot Cricket Academy. Misbah’s Wolves, meanwhile, will utilize the Faisalabad Cricket Academy for training and preparation throughout the 2024-25 domestic season.

The names of mentors for the remaining three teams, led by Saqlain Mushtaq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Waqar Younis, will be announced shortly.

The Champions One-Day Cup is a 50-over tournament featuring a single-league format, promising intense competition. The event kicks off on 12 September, with Misbah’s Wolves facing the Panthers. The Wolves will then take on the Stallions on 15 September, the Dolphins on 17 September, and the Lions on 20 September.

All matches, except for the clash between the Lions and Panthers on 16 September, will commence at 3 PM, with the playoffs scheduled over four days, culminating in the final on 29 September.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Misbah-ul-Haq stated, “I am excited to reunite with Wolves as a mentor and play a crucial role in shaping the future of our emerging cricketers. This role not only allows me to share my experience and knowledge to help them refine their skills but also gives me a chance to complete some unfinished business from 2019 and bring my vision to life.

Pakistan's most successful Test captain, who led the team to the No.1 spot in the ICC Test Team Rankings in 2016, and equaled the world record for the fastest Test century in 2014, highlighted the importance of the tournament.

“The Champions One-Day Cup is an electrifying event where the best players in the country will compete fiercely in a format where every match is crucial. This tournament promises to deliver high-quality cricket to Faisalabad fans and inspire our players to perform at their peak, while also providing a platform for the PCB to showcase and elevate this premier event," he said.

He further emphasized the tournament's role in identifying new talent, stating, “I believe this tournament will be pivotal in discovering the next generation of talent who can be developed to represent Pakistan on the international stage. With upcoming ODIs against Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, a home tri-series, and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, there is no better time to identify and nurture our future stars.”

Schedule of Wolves’ matches (all their matches are at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, and will start at 3pm):