Saqlain Mushtaq named mentor of Panthers for Champions Cup

Saqlain Mushtaq has been confirmed as the mentor for the Panthers in the upcoming Champions One-Day Cup, set to take place in Faisalabad from September 12 to September 29. This prestigious 50-over tournament will showcase the top 150 cricketers from across the country.

The Panthers will utilize the Inzamam-ul-Haq Cricket Academy in Multan for their preparations and training throughout the 2024-25 domestic season. The academy's facilities will provide the team with a state-of-the-art environment to hone their skills and strategy ahead of the tournament.

In addition to Mushtaq’s appointment, notable figures have been named as mentors for other teams. Shoaib Malik will lead the Stallions, Misbah-ul-Haq will mentor the Wolves, and Waqar Younis will guide the Lions. Sarfaraz Ahmed is expected to announce his team name and logo later this week.

The Champions One-Day Cup will follow a single-league format, with all matches scheduled to start at 3:00 PM, except for the September 16 clash between the Lions and the Panthers, which will commence at 9:30 AM. The tournament will include three playoffs over four days, culminating in the final on Sunday, September 29.

The Panthers will kick off their campaign against Misbah-ul-Haq’s Wolves on September 12. Their subsequent fixtures include matches against the Dolphins on September 14, the Lions on September 16, and Shoaib Malik’s Stallions on September 21.

“Preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 begin with the Champions One-Day Cup, and I am thrilled to play a key role as a mentor for the Panthers, a team featuring some of the finest talent in the country. My objective is clear: to elevate these players' performance and pushing them to their maximum potential so we can defend our title with distinction.

“The Champions One-Day Cup is more than just a competition; it’s a critical stepping stone for young talent and a cornerstone of Pakistan cricket’s future. The path to the Champions Journey starts with age-group cricket and progresses through district and division levels, ultimately reaching regional and departmental cricket, with the Champions Cup as the final proving ground before achieving national selection.

“I am confident that this well-structured, pyramid-like pathway will nurture skilled and polished players, enabling the Pakistan Cricket Board to build strong, competitive teams across all formats.

“I urge players, fans and all stakeholders to fully support this year’s Champions One-Day Cup. Together, we can ensure its success, laying a strong foundation for the bright and robust future of Pakistan cricket.”

Schedule of the Panthers’ matches (Day match will start at 9.30am, day/night matches will begin at 3pm):

• 12 Sep – Wolves v Panthers (d/n)
• 14 Sep – Dolphins v Panthers (d/n)
• 16 Sep – Lions v Panthers (d)
• 21 Sep – Panthers v Stallions (d/n)