Waqar, Misbah, and Sarfaraz have been selected as mentors for the Champions Cup.

The mentors, who have been awarded three-year contracts, consist of Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik, and Waqar Younis. The PCB has affirmed that the selection procedure for these posts was both transparent and thorough.

The initial task assigned to the mentors in the PCB Domestic Cricket Season 2024-25 is to oversee the Champions One-Day Cup. This tournament will take place at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad from 12 to 29 September.

The single-league competition will showcase the most exceptional cricketers from the country and mark the return of men’s seniors’ competitive cricket in Faisalabad after an absence of almost two years. The most recent domestic men’s 50-over match held at the Iqbal Stadium took place in March 2022, between Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The five mentors of the Champions Cup teams have together played 1,621 international matches, with a combined total of 32,780 runs scored and 1,503 wickets taken.

Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik have both won ICC Events twice. Misbah has won an ICC Event once and was also the winning captain of the ACC Asia Cup in 2012. Saqlain and Waqar were part of the team that reached the final of the 1999 World Cup.

Mohsin Naqvi is the Chairman of the PCB.

“I am delighted to announce that we have secured the services of five outstanding champions who will serve as mentors for the teams competing in the Champions Cup.” These individuals possess a vast amount of cricketing experience, knowledge, and expertise. Their deep passion for the game will assist the Pakistan Cricket Board in identifying, developing, and fostering the upcoming generation of cricketers in all forms. This approach will not only be advantageous for the Pakistan men’s cricket squad but also facilitate the narrowing of the disparity between domestic and international cricket.

These five mentors will have a crucial impact on the growth and advancement of our up-and-coming cricketers. Their role will involve overseeing strategic planning and team-building initiatives, as well as offering assistance in leadership and personal growth.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is dedicated to enhancing the strength of cricket in Pakistan by implementing a strong domestic framework that provides a transparent and competitive route for all cricketers. Only the most proficient and adept players will go through the hierarchy to represent Pakistan at the pinnacle of their sport.

REGARDING THE MENTORS

Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakistan’s most accomplished Test captain, who guided his team to triumph in 26 out of 56 Test matches, including propelling Pakistan to the top spot in the ICC Test Team Rankings in August 2016.
In 2014, he achieved the same world record as the previous fastest Test century by scoring a 100 runs in 56 balls against Australia in Abu Dhabi.
Participated in two 50-over World Cups, three T20 World Cups, and three ICC Champions Trophy events.
I was a participant in the team that reached the final of the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007 and emerged as the champions two years later at Lord’s.
An individual selected as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year for the year 2017.
Saqlain Mushtaq

He holds the record for achieving the fastest 250 One Day International (ODI) wickets and also has the highest number of ODI wickets in a single calendar year.
Ranks second in the record of the highest number of successive five-wicket hauls in a single ODI innings.
Achieved the feat of taking two hat-tricks in One Day Internationals (ODIs), one of which occurred during a World Cup tournament.
Who is the inventor of the ‘Doosra’?
Participated in three FIFA World Cups and two ICC Champions Trophy tournaments.
Sarfaraz Ahmed

I successfully led the Pakistan team to win the ICC U19 World Cup in 2006 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017. Additionally, I was part of the Pakistan team that emerged victorious in the ACC Asia Cup in 2012. Furthermore, under my captaincy, Pakistan achieved the top position in the ICC T20I Team Rankings.
Currently holds the record for the highest number of dismissals in a One Day International (ODI) match, with a total of six catches.
He is the second wicket-keeper to have led his team in 50 or more One Day Internationals (ODIs). He ranks 17th on the list of wicket-keepers in ODIs, with 2,000 runs and 100 dismissals.
Additionally, participated in two 50-over World Cups and one T20 World Cup.
Shoaib Malik

Participated in the 2007 and 2019 50-over World Cup events; competed in six T20 World Cups, with captaincy in the 2007 edition; and took part in six Champions Trophy competitions.
Ranks 33rd among ODI players who have achieved the milestone of 1,000 runs, 50 wickets, and 50 catches.
Boasts the distinction of having one of the lengthiest international careers, lasting an impressive 19 years and 245 days.
He has participated in 35 Test matches, 287 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 124 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). In these matches, he has achieved a total of 11,867 runs and 218 wickets.
He is widely regarded as one of the most highly sought-after and busy cricketers in franchise cricket.
Waqar Younis

Participated in three editions of the 50-over World Cup.
Currently holds the record for achieving 400 wickets in One Day International matches in the shortest amount of time.
Occupies the top position among captains with the most impressive ODI bowling statistics.
One of the bowlers who has managed to dismiss all 11 batters in a Test match.
The individual in question served as the coach for the Pakistan cricket team at the 2010 and 2016 T20 World Cups, as well as the 2015 World Cup. They subsequently held the position of bowling coach for Pakistan from 2019 to 2021.