Saqlain Mushtaq has been confirmed as the mentor for the Panthers in the upcoming Champions One-Day Cup, set to take place in Faisalabad from 12 to 29 September.
This 50-over tournament will feature the top 150 cricketers from across Pakistan, making it a key event in the domestic cricket calendar.
The Panthers will train at the Inzamamul Haq Cricket Academy in Multan throughout the 2024-25 domestic season. The academy’s state-of-the-art facilities will provide the team with an ideal environment to prepare for the tournament, focusing on honing their skills and strategy.
Several other prominent figures have also been appointed as mentors for competing teams. Shoaib Malik will lead the Stallions, Misbahul Haq will guide the Wolves, and Waqar Younis will mentor the Lions. Sarfaraz Ahmed is expected to announce his team name and logo later this week.
The Champions One-Day Cup will adopt a single-league format, with most matches beginning at 3:00 PM. An exception is the 16 September fixture between the Lions and the Panthers, which will start at 9:30 AM. The tournament will include three playoff matches over four days, culminating in the final on Sunday, 29 September.
The Panthers will open their campaign against Misbahul Haq’s Wolves on 12 September, followed by games against the Dolphins on 14 September, the Lions on 16 September, and Shoaib Malik’s Stallions on 21 September.
Read also: Ahmed Shehzad withdraws from Champions Cup
Commenting on his role, Saqlain Mushtaq expressed enthusiasm about mentoring the Panthers: “Preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 begin with the Champions One-Day Cup, and I am thrilled to play a key role as a mentor for the Panthers, a team featuring some of the finest talent in the country. My objective is clear: to elevate these players' performance and pushing them to their maximum potential so we can defend our title with distinction.”
He further emphasised the importance of the tournament as a developmental platform: “The Champions One-Day Cup is more than just a competition; it’s a critical stepping stone for young talent and a cornerstone of Pakistan cricket’s future. The path to the Champions Journey starts with age-group cricket and progresses through district and division levels, ultimately reaching regional and departmental cricket, with the Champions Cup as the final proving ground before achieving national selection.
“I am confident that this well-structured, pyramid-like pathway will nurture skilled and polished players, enabling the Pakistan Cricket Board to build strong, competitive teams across all formats.
“I urge players, fans and all stakeholders to fully support this year’s Champions One-Day Cup. Together, we can ensure its success, laying a strong foundation for the bright and robust future of Pakistan cricket.”
Schedule of the Panthers’ matches (Day match will start at 9.30am, day/night matches will begin at 3pm):
12 Sep – Wolves v Panthers (d/n)
14 Sep – Dolphins v Panthers (d/n)
16 Sep – Lions v Panthers (d)
21 Sep – Panthers v Stallions (d/n)
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