Saud Shakeel looks forward to Champions One-Day Cup

Faisalabad: Pakistan’s Test vice-captain is set to lead the Dolphins in the Champions One-Day Cup, which kicks off at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Thursday, 12 September. The tournament, featuring five teams, will conclude with the final on 29 September. All matches, except for the one on 16 September, will start at 3 PM local time.
The Dolphins will be guided by former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and will face Shadab Khan’s Panthers, who are mentored by ex-off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, on Saturday, 14 September.
Saud Shakeel, the 29-year-old captain who has played 15 ODIs for Pakistan, discussed his team’s lineup and how Sarfaraz Ahmed’s mentorship could enhance their performance in the tournament.
“We have a well-balanced squad for the Champions One-Day Cup,” Saud told PCB Digital. “Our focus is on combining experienced players with young talent. This tournament offers a chance for players to prove themselves and catch the selectors’ eye for the national team.”
Saud highlighted the significance of having Sarfaraz Ahmed as both a player and mentor: “His presence is a huge advantage for us. His guidance and leadership, both on and off the field, will be invaluable for the development of young players.”
Regarding the inaugural edition of the tournament, Saud said: “This first Champions One-Day Cup is crucial for domestic cricket in Pakistan. It offers a major platform for players to showcase their abilities, particularly in the 50-over format, which is important with upcoming international matches. The competition will be intense, and it’s a great opportunity for fans to watch their favorite players.”
Dolphins Squad (to be finalized at 15 players):
• Saud Shakeel (captain, Karachi)
• Aftab Ibrahim (Karachi)
• Asif Ali (Faisalabad)
• Awais Ali (Gujranwala)
• Faheem Ashraf (Kasur)
• Kashif Ali (Rawalpindi)
• Mir Hamza (Karachi)
• Mohammad Huraira (Sialkot)
• Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Peshawar)
• Muhammad Akhlaq (Kamoki)
• Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (Karachi)
• Muhammad Riazullah (Peshawar)
• Noman Ali (Hyderabad)
• Qasim Akram (Lahore)
• Sameen Gul (Jamrud)
• Sarfaraz Ahmed (Karachi)
• Sahibzada Farhan (Peshawar)
• Sufiyan Moqim (Kotli)
• Umar Amin (Rawalpindi)
• Usman Qadir (Lahore)
Mentor: Sarfaraz Ahmed
Dolphins’ Match Schedule (all matches start at 3 PM):
• 14 Sep – Dolphins vs. Panthers
• 17 Sep – Dolphins vs. Wolves
• 19 Sep – Stallions vs. Dolphins
• 22 Sep – Dolphins vs. Lions