Nadeem Khan highlights significance of Champions One-Day Cup

Lahore: The first Champions One-Day Cup is scheduled to be held at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad from September 12 to 29. The mentors for the five participating teams are Misbah-ul-Haq (Wolves), Saqlain Mushtaq (Panthers), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Dolphins), Shoaib Malik (Stallions), and Waqar Younis (Lions). The PCB announced the captains and provisional squads on Friday.Pakistan’s Haider Ali clinches bronze medal in Paralympics discus throw

The tournament will feature top players from across the nation and will be played as a 50-over competition in a single-league format. All matches will commence at 3pm, except for the game between Lions and Panthers on September 16, which will start at 9.30am.

Nadeem Khan, Director of High-Performance at PCB and Tournament Director for the Champions Cup, spoke to PCB Digital about the importance of the tournament and its key features.

“The idea for the Champions One-Day Cup was conceived in April and officially launched in July. The PCB aims to unite the best local talent to bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket.

“For the first time, each of the five teams has been assigned regional academies, allowing players to train and develop their skills year-round. A major highlight of this initiative is that the teams are guided by highly experienced mentors who will not only oversee the men’s teams but also engage with women’s and age-group cricket, positively impacting Pakistan cricket as a whole.

“The five prominent mentors are well-versed in the demands of international cricket and will prepare the players for domestic challenges accordingly.

“Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, Gary Kirsten, will arrive on September 12 to observe the entire Champions One-Day Cup. It will be an excellent opportunity for him to evaluate young talent in the domestic circuit as he prepares for upcoming white-ball assignments in Australia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, as well as the home tri-national series and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

“The Champions One-Day Cup will play a crucial role in discovering future prospects for Pakistan’s white-ball teams and will mark the beginning of preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

“Hosting the Champions Cup in September provides an extended opportunity for top performers to showcase their skills on an international stage before the major event begins at home.

“With all national players participating in the Champions One-Day Cup, the level of intensity and quality in this domestic tournament is expected to rise, helping identify emerging talents who can excel under pressure for Pakistan in the future.

“The squads feature a balanced mix of young and experienced players. One of our objectives is to offer valuable exposure and experience both in the dressing room and on the field to emerging and U19 players involved in the tournament.