PCB Unveils Teams and Captains for the Upcoming Champions Cup – Startup Pakistan

PCB has officially disclosed the captains and provisional squads for the upcoming Champions One-Day Cup 2024, scheduled to be held in Faisalabad from September 12 to 29. The tournament will feature five competitive teams, each led by prominent national cricketers.

Leadership Across the Board

The squads will be steered by some of Pakistan’s finest, offering a mix of young talent and experienced heads. Each team has also been paired with a notable mentor to help guide their journey throughout the tournament:

• Wolves: Headed by Pakistan’s ex-vice-captain Mohammad Rizwan, with Misbah-ul-Haq as their mentor.
• Lions: Led by pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, alongside mentorship from legendary bowler Waqar Younis.
• Panthers: Captained by all-rounder Shadab Khan, with tactical guidance from Saqlain Mushtaq.
• Stallions: Featuring Mohammad Haris as captain and mentoring from seasoned cricketer Shoaib Malik.
• Dolphins: The Test vice-captain Saud Shakeel will command the side, with Sarfaraz Ahmed supporting as the mentor.

Tournament Overview and Schedule

The tournament will be played in a single-league format, meaning each team will face all others once, with the goal of securing a top position for the playoff rounds. All matches will start at 3 PM except for the September 16 clash between Lions and Panthers, which is set to begin at 9:30 AM. The playoffs will consist of three matches, culminating in the final on September 29.

Selection of Players and Talent Highlights

A total of 150 players have been announced in the provisional squads, consisting of 125 top performers from the last three domestic seasons, and 25 wildcard entrants chosen based on their outstanding performances in national and international circuits.

This year’s squads have been stacked with Pakistan’s centrally contracted players, ensuring a showcase of world-class cricketing talent. The tournament promises exciting matchups, with star players such as Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shadab Khan in action.

Notable Squads and Key Players

Each squad boasts a blend of seasoned cricketers and emerging stars:

• Dolphins: Saud Shakeel is supported by Faheem Ashraf and former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, along with a strong bowling unit led by Mir Hamza.
• Lions: Shaheen Shah Afridi leads a formidable team featuring the likes of Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, and Aamir Jamal.
• Panthers: Shadab Khan will be relying on young talents such as Saim Ayub and Usama Mir.
• Stallions: The team, captained by Mohammad Haris, is bolstered by the presence of Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, and Shan Masood.
• Wolves: With Mohammad Rizwan at the helm, the team includes powerhouse players like Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, and Iftikhar Ahmed.

Unavailable Players and Injury Concerns

While the squads are packed with talent, some key players will miss the tournament. Mohammad Nawaz, Imad Wasim, and Mohammad Abbas are unavailable due to their commitments with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Moreover, several players, including Hasan Ali, Ihsanullah, and Arshad Iqbal, are undergoing rehabilitation for injuries and will not participate in this edition.

On the brighter side, players like Shahnawaz Dahani, Sameen Gul, and Hunain Shah have recovered from injuries and will return to action after passing their fitness tests.

Event Schedule

The Champions One-Day Cup will take place entirely at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. After the league stage concludes, the top two teams will face off in the Qualifier on September 24. The Eliminator 1 between the 3rd and 4th place teams is set for September 25, followed by Eliminator 2 on September 27. The grand final will be held on September 29, with the best two teams battling it out for the title.

The Champions One-Day Cup is set to offer thrilling cricketing action, bringing together Pakistan’s top domestic and international players. With a strong mix of rising stars and experienced cricketers, this tournament promises to be a showcase of the nation’s cricketing talent. Fans can expect a fiercely competitive battle as teams vie for the prestigious title over the next few weeks.