Pakistan’s domestic 50-over competition, the Champions One-Day Cup, has unveiled its captains and mentors, with each side led by a Pakistan international. Shaheen Shah Afridi (Lions), Mohammad Rizwan (Wolves), Shadab Khan (Panthers), Saud Shakeel (Dolphins), and Mohammad Haris (Stallions) will lead their respective teams.
Haris’ appointment as Stallions captain, chosen by mentor Shoaib Malik, marks a significant return to favor with the PCB. After being left out of Pakistan’s World Cup squad and losing his place in the T20 side, Haris now captains a team that includes Babar Azam, Pakistan’s white-ball captain.
Unlike previous tournaments, the PCB has ensured maximum participation of its top players. With no international cricket coinciding with the competition, almost every fit centrally contracted player is taking part. Misbah-ul-Haq, mentor of the Wolves, emphasized that unfit players would be excluded.
All games will be played in Faisalabad from September 12-29, with playoffs instead of semi-finals. The tournament concludes eight days before the start of the first Test between Pakistan and England.
Each side has announced extended squad lists, which will be trimmed by September 10. The teams do not have affiliated city names but have historical links to previous domestic cup sides: Lahore for Lions, Karachi for Dolphins, Peshawar for Panthers, Faisalabad for Wolves, and Sialkot for Stallions.
Sarfaraz Ahmed is the only player-mentor, operating with the Dolphins. Misbah (Wolves), Malik (Stallions), Saqlain Mushtaq (Panthers), and Waqar Younis (Lions) are the other mentors.
