The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the appointment of five legendary cricketers as mentors for the Champions Cup teams. The mentors selected to serve on three-year contracts are Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik, and Waqar Younis, who is likely to resign from his PCB post after Pakistan’s shock defeat to Bangladesh at home.
The Champions Cup is a key component of the PCB Domestic Cricket Season 2024-25, with the first assignment being the Champions One-Day Cup. This tournament will take place at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad from September 12 to 29. It will feature the best cricketers from across the country in a single-league competition, marking the return of men’s senior competitive cricket to Faisalabad after nearly two years.
The mentors will play a crucial role in guiding strategic planning, and team-building processes, and providing leadership and personal development support to emerging cricketers. Their involvement is expected to bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket.
PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi expressed his enthusiasm for the appointments, stating,
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 will help the Pakistan Cricket Board identify, develop, and nurture the next generation of cricketers across all formats.
The involvement of these cricketing legends is expected to inspire and elevate the performance of emerging players, contributing to the overall growth and success of Pakistan cricket.