The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed the provisional squads for the upcoming Champions One-Day Cup, set to be held in Faisalabad starting on September 12, 2024. Five teams will compete in the tournament: Dolphins, Lions, Stallions, Wolves, and Panthers, each led by prominent Pakistan international cricketers.
Team Captains and Squad Leaders
The captains of the five teams are all well-known Pakistani cricketers. Saud Shakeel will lead the Dolphins, while Shaheen Shah Afridi heads the Lions. The Stallions will be captained by Mohammad Haris, with Mohammad Rizwan taking charge of the Wolves, and Shadab Khan leading the Panthers. Each team consists of 30 players, providing a mix of experience and youth.
Legendary Mentors Assigned to Each Team
In a bid to boost player performance, the PCB has appointed former Pakistan cricket legends as mentors for each team:
- Sarfraz Ahmed (Dolphins)
- Waqar Younis (Lions)
- Shoaib Malik (Stallions)
- Misbah-ul-Haq (Wolves)
- Saqlain Mushtaq (Panthers)
These mentors were actively involved in selecting players for their respective teams through a draft process, ensuring a balanced mix of talent.
Selection Criteria and Fitness Standards
The players selected for the tournament were evaluated on their fitness, which was one of the primary criteria for domestic contracted players. According to the PCB, player selections were based on their performances and experiences from representing Pakistan, Pakistan Shaheens, and Pakistan Under-19 teams over the last three years.
Notable Absences
Several centrally contracted players are absent from the provisional squads due to various reasons. Mohammad Nawaz is unavailable due to personal reasons, while Imad Wasim, Arshad Iqbal, Hasan Ali, Ihsanullah, and Mohammad Wasim Jr. are undergoing rehabilitation for injuries. Additionally, Imad Wasim and Azam Khan have withdrawn from the tournament due to their commitments to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Mohammad Amir, who was part of the national squad during the T20 World Cup, will also miss the Champions Cup for the same reason.
Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan’s star opener, is currently involved in the CPL but is expected to return to participate in the tournament by September 10.
Players Missing Out Due to Fitness
Despite being seasoned players, the likes of Sharjeel Khan, Danish Aziz, Ali Shafique, Ali Zaryab, and others failed to meet the fitness standards set by the PCB and, as a result, will not be part of the Champions Cup. Fitness tests continue to be a key factor in player selection, ensuring that only those in top physical condition are included in the squads.
Babar Azam’s Role in the Tournament
Interestingly, Babar Azam, Pakistan’s white-ball skipper, will not lead any side in the Champions Cup. Instead, he will play as a regular player for the Stallions, under the captaincy of Mohammad Haris. This unique decision adds a new dynamic to the tournament, as one of the world’s best cricketers plays without the burden of captaincy.
Sarfraz Ahmed to Play and Mentor
Former Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed is the only mentor who will also participate as a player in the tournament. He will serve under Saud Shakeel in the Dolphins, adding both his experience and leadership to the team.
Provisional Squads
Dolphins (Captain: Saud Shakeel, Mentor: Sarfraz Ahmed)
- Key Players: Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Noman Ali, Qasim Akram, Sarfaraz Ahmed
Lions (Captain: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mentor: Waqar Younis)
- Key Players: Abdullah Shafique, Aamir Jamal, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Rohail Nazir
Panthers (Captain: Shadab Khan, Mentor: Saqlain Mushtaq)
- Key Players: Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Mubasir Khan, Saim Ayub, Usama Mir, Umar Siddiq
Stallions (Captain: Mohammad Haris, Mentor: Shoaib Malik)
- Key Players: Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir, Zaman Khan, Abrar Ahmed
Wolves (Captain: Mohammad Rizwan, Mentor: Misbah-ul-Haq)
- Key Players: Fakhar Zaman, Shahnawaz Dahani, Iftikhar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Zahid Mehmood
The Champions One-Day Cup 2024 is shaping up to be an exciting tournament featuring some of Pakistan’s top cricketing talent. With seasoned players and emerging stars competing, and cricket legends serving as mentors, fans are eagerly awaiting the action set to unfold in Faisalabad. As the teams gear up for the tournament, the stage is set for intense competition, skillful performances, and unforgettable moments in Pakistan’s domestic cricket scene.
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