Shoaib Malik to Lead Stallions in Champions Cup

Former Pakistan cricket captain and two-time ICC event winner, Shoaib Malik, has been appointed as the mentor for the Stallions in the upcoming Champions One-Day Cup. The tournament is scheduled to take place at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad from September 12 to September 29, 2024.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently unveiled five champion mentors for the event, including Shoaib Malik. The other mentors are Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Waqar Younis. Each mentor will be guiding one of the competing teams, with their team names and logos to be revealed in PCB-arranged media conferences aimed at promoting the Champions Cup and creating brand awareness.

A Star-Studded Tournament

The Champions One-Day Cup will feature 150 of Pakistan’s top cricketers in a 50-over format. The tournament will be played on a single-league basis, ensuring that every match is highly competitive. Most of the matches will begin at 3 PM, except for the September 16th game between Lions and Panthers, which is scheduled to start at 9:30 AM.

The tournament will culminate in three playoff matches, spread over four days, leading to the final on Sunday, September 29. Shoaib Malik’s Stallions are set to play their first match against the Lions on September 13. Following this, they will face the Wolves on September 15, the Dolphins on September 19, and the Panthers on September 21.

Shoaib Malik’s Remarkable Career and New Role

Shoaib Malik brings with him a wealth of experience, having played in the 2007 and 2019 50-over World Cups, six T20 World Cups (including captaining Pakistan in 2007), and six Champions Trophy tournaments. He is 33rd on the list of ODI players with 1,000 runs, 50 wickets, and 50 catches. Malik’s international career, spanning nearly 20 years, includes 35 Tests, 287 ODIs, and 124 T20Is, during which he scored 11,867 runs and took 218 wickets. He is also one of the most sought-after players in franchise cricket globally.

In his new role as a mentor, Malik expressed his excitement and commitment to the Stallions. “I am thrilled to be appointed as a mentor for the Stallions, a team with which I have shared many memorable moments as a player and captain. Now, to return in the role of a mentor is an incredible opportunity. I am confident that I can still contribute significantly to the Stallion brand by sharing my experience and passion for the game,” Malik said.

Mentorship Beyond the Dugout

Malik emphasized that his role as a mentor extends beyond offering guidance from the dugout. He intends to participate in select matches, providing firsthand knowledge and experience to help upcoming cricketers refine their skills and elevate their game. “As a mentor, my role goes beyond just providing guidance from the dugout. I will also take to the field in select matches to impart my firsthand knowledge and experience. This will enable our upcoming cricketers to refine their skills and elevate their game, ultimately supporting the Pakistan Cricket Board’s efforts to bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket,” Malik added.

Strengthening Domestic Cricket

Malik is a strong advocate for the Champions Cup format, which he believes will unite the best domestic cricket talents in a competitive, high-pressure environment. He highlighted the importance of the tournament in strengthening Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure, cultivating skilled players ready to excel on the global stage.

“In cricket, as in any field, the learning process never truly ends, but it can certainly be accelerated. With this in mind, I am optimistic that the Champions Cup, guided by our experienced mentors, skilled coaching staff, and live broadcasts, will significantly strengthen our domestic cricket structure. This, in turn, will cultivate more skilled and talented players, ready to take on the global stage,” Malik stated.

Looking Forward to the Future

Malik acknowledged that progress in developing new cricket champions will not happen overnight but expressed optimism about the future with patience and persistence. He also called for the support of Stallions fans and the media throughout the tournament, emphasizing that their collective efforts can lead to new champions who will bring glory not just to the team, but to the region and the country as a whole.

“Of course, such progress won’t happen overnight, but with patience and persistence, we can achieve our shared goals. I eagerly anticipate the support of our dedicated Stallion fans and the media throughout the Champions Cup. Together, we can develop new champions who will bring glory not just to the team, but to our region and our country,” Malik concluded.