PCB reveals mentors for Champions Cup teams

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the appointment of five distinguished mentors for the upcoming Champions Cup teams. 

Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik, and Waqar Younis will serve as mentors under three-year contracts following a rigorous and transparent recruitment process. 

The mentors' first major task will be overseeing the Champions One-Day Cup, part of the PCB Domestic Cricket Season 2024-25. 

Scheduled to take place at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad from September 12 to 29, the tournament will mark the return of senior men’s competitive cricket to Faisalabad after nearly two years. The last 50-over domestic match at this venue was held in March 2022 between Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Together, the five mentors boast a combined total of 1,621 international matches, with 32,780 runs and 1,503 wickets. Notably, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik are ICC Event winners twice over, Misbah-ul-Haq has one ICC Event win and an ACC Asia Cup 2012 title, while Saqlain Mushtaq and Waqar Younis were key players in the 1999 World Cup final.

The Champions One-Day Cup, originally set to begin on September 1, has been rescheduled to September 11. This adjustment allows for the full participation of national team players, following their international commitments in the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh, which concludes on September 3.

PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi expressed enthusiasm about the new appointments. 

“I am pleased to welcome five exceptional champions as mentors for the Champions Cup teams. These individuals bring a wealth of cricketing experience, knowledge and expertise, which, combined with their passion for the game we all love, will help the Pakistan Cricket Board identify, develop and nurture the next generation of cricketers across all formats. This initiative will not only benefit the Pakistan men's cricket team but also help bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket.

“These five mentors will play a pivotal role in the development and progression of our emerging cricketers. They will guide strategic planning and team-building processes, while also providing support in leadership and personal development.

“The PCB is committed to strengthening Pakistan's cricket through a robust domestic structure that offers a clear and competitive pathway for all cricketers. The most talented and skilled players will advance through the ranks to represent Pakistan at the highest level.”