The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed five mentors for the upcoming Champions Cup, a series of domestic tournaments aimed at bridging the gap between domestic and international cricket. The mentors, Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Malik, will provide guidance and support to the players, helping them develop their skills and prepare for the rigors of international cricket.
Misbah-ul-Haq, the former Pakistan captain and coach, believes that the key to success lies in maximizing a player’s potential. He emphasizes the importance of assessing a player’s fitness, technical abilities, and potential without preconceived notions. By doing so, the mentors can identify the specific roles that each player can fulfill within the team.
The mentors’ vision is to reduce the gap between domestic and international cricket. They aim to prepare players to adjust to the higher level of competition and performance required at the international stage. This requires hard work and dedication from both the mentors and the players.
The mentor roles have come under scrutiny due to the high salaries involved. Each mentor is reportedly earning around PKR 5 million (approx. USD 18,000) per month on three-year contracts. These salaries have raised eyebrows, as they exceed the earnings of all but the most elite Pakistani cricketers.
The PCB has not yet announced a tangible commercial inflow for the Champions Cup or a broadcaster. It has advertised for team partners/sponsors but has not disclosed any agreements. The total cost of the mentor salaries alone is estimated to be half of the PCB’s entire broadcast deal for bilateral international cricket at home over the next 30 months.
Despite the concerns, the PCB maintains that the investment in mentors is necessary to improve Pakistan cricket. The organization believes that the mentors’ expertise and guidance will help develop a stronger and more competitive national team.
