Shadab Khan eyes strong start for Panthers in Champions One-Day Cup

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan will captain the Panthers in the highly anticipated Champions One-Day Cup, bringing his leadership and experience to a youthful squad. 

The tournament holds a special place for Shadab as it marks his return to Faisalabad, where his List-A cricket career began during the 2015-16 domestic season.

“I’m really excited on my return to Faisalabad for the Champions One-Day Cup because this is where my List-A career started back in the 2015-16 domestic season. It will be a proud feeling for me to return as a more experienced player than when I started out as a teenager,“ Shadab said.

The Champions One-Day Cup comes at a crucial time, with Pakistan set to compete in over 15 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in the next four months, including the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Shadab emphasized the significance of the tournament, thanking the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its timing.

“I appreciate the PCB for arranging the Champions One-Day Cup right at the start of the domestic season because the white-ball challenge for the Pakistan team is quite demanding in the next six months. This tournament will help most of the players to find their momentum right at the start of the season,“ he said.

As captain of the Panthers, Shadab is focused on creating a relaxed environment that allows players to excel and deliver their best performances. 

“Being the captain of the Panthers side, I’ll do my best create an environment which helps the players excel in their roles during the tournament. My focus will be on easing the pressure and squeezing the best performances out of the players during this tournament and to lead by example,” he concluded.

Under the mentorship of former Pakistan coach and legendary spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, the Panthers aim to make a strong impact in the competition.

Panthers provisional squad (to be trimmed to 15 on 10 September):

Shadab Khan (captain), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Ahmed Bashir, Ali Asfand, Ali Raza, Amad Butt, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Umar, Mohammad Zeeshan, Mubasir Khan, Rehan Afridi, Rizwan Mehmood, Saim Ayub, Umar Siddiq, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Usman Salahuddin.

Mentor – Saqlain Mushtaq

Panthers’ Matches Schedule:

• 12 Sep – Wolves vs Panthers (Day/Night)
• 14 Sep – Dolphins vs Panthers (Day/Night)
• 16 Sep – Lions vs Panthers (Day)
• 21 Sep – Panthers vs Stallions (Day/Night)