In an exciting development for Pakistan cricket, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the appointment of five legendary cricketers as mentors for the upcoming Champions Cup. Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik, and Waqar Younis have been confirmed as the mentors for the five participating teams. The appointments, secured on three-year contracts, follow a transparent and robust recruitment process, demonstrating PCB’s commitment to elevating the domestic cricket structure.
Champions Cup: A New Era for Domestic Cricket
The Champions One-Day Cup, the first assignment for these esteemed mentors, is set to take place at the iconic Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad from September 12 to 29, 2024. This event marks the return of competitive men’s cricket to Faisalabad after nearly two years, with the last domestic 50-over match at the venue dating back to March 2022. The competition will feature the best cricketers from across the country, promising high-stakes action in a single-league format.
A Wealth of Experience
Between them, the five mentors boast an impressive record of 1,621 international matches, amassing 32,780 runs and 1,503 wickets. Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik stand out as two-time ICC event winners, while Misbah-ul-Haq, renowned for leading Pakistan to the top of the ICC Test rankings in 2016, is a one-time ICC event winner and the 2012 Asia Cup-winning captain. Saqlain Mushtaq and Waqar Younis, both instrumental in Pakistan’s journey to the 1999 World Cup final, add further depth to this elite group.
PCB’s Vision for the Future
PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi expressed his enthusiasm for the appointments, highlighting the mentors’ role in nurturing the next generation of cricketers. “I am pleased to welcome five exceptional champions as mentors for the Champions Cup teams. Their wealth of cricketing experience, combined with their passion for the game, will help the Pakistan Cricket Board identify, develop, and nurture the next generation of cricketers across all formats,” said Naqvi. He further emphasized the PCB’s dedication to bridging the gap between domestic and international cricket, ensuring that the most talented players have a clear pathway to represent Pakistan at the highest level.
The Mentors: Profiles of Cricketing Icons
- Misbah-ul-Haq: Misbah is celebrated as Pakistan’s most successful Test captain, having led the team to 26 victories in 56 Tests. His leadership was instrumental in Pakistan reaching the No.1 spot in the ICC Test rankings in 2016. Misbah also holds the record for equaling the then-fastest Test century, scoring 100 runs off 56 balls against Australia in 2014. He has represented Pakistan in multiple ICC events, including the 2007 T20 World Cup final and the victorious 2009 campaign.
- Saqlain Mushtaq: Known as the inventor of the ‘Doosra,’ Saqlain was a pioneer in spin bowling. He is the fastest bowler to reach 250 ODI wickets and has the distinction of taking the most ODI wickets in a single calendar year. Saqlain’s impressive record includes two hat-tricks in ODIs, with one occurring in a World Cup.
- Sarfaraz Ahmed: Sarfaraz’s leadership credentials are highlighted by his victories in the ICC U19 World Cup 2006 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. He also led Pakistan to the top of the ICC T20I rankings and holds the record for the most dismissals in an ODI, with six catches in a single match.
- Shoaib Malik: With an international career spanning over 19 years, Shoaib Malik is one of Pakistan’s most experienced cricketers. He has played in six T20 World Cups and six Champions Trophy tournaments, amassing 11,867 runs and taking 218 wickets across all formats.
- Waqar Younis: Waqar, one of the fastest bowlers in cricket history, holds the record for being the fastest to 400 ODI wickets. He has represented Pakistan in three World Cups and has also served as a coach in several ICC events, contributing to the team’s strategic and tactical development.
As the Champions One-Day Cup approaches, anticipation is building for what promises to be a thrilling tournament. The involvement of these legendary mentors is expected to elevate the competition, providing invaluable guidance to the players and setting the stage for a new chapter in Pakistan’s domestic cricket.
This strategic initiative by the PCB not only reinforces its commitment to domestic cricket but also ensures that Pakistan’s cricketing future is in capable hands. The mentoring program is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of Pakistani cricketers, bridging the gap between domestic and international success.