Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has been appointed as the mentor for the Stallions in the upcoming Champions One-Day Cup, which will be held at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad from 12 to 29 September.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently announced five champion mentors for the tournament, with Malik among the esteemed group. The other mentors include Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Waqar Younis. Each mentor will reveal their team’s name and logo during media conferences organised by the PCB to promote the Champions Cup and enhance brand awareness.
The Champions One-Day Cup will feature the top 150 cricketers in the country, competing in a 50-over format played as a single-league tournament. Most matches will begin at 3:00 PM, except for the 16 September clash between the Lions and Panthers, which is scheduled to start at 9:30 AM. The tournament will conclude with three playoff games, culminating in the final on Sunday, 29 September.
Malik’s Stallions are set to face the Lions on 13 September, followed by matches against the Wolves on 15 September, the Dolphins on 19 September, and the Panthers on 21 September.
Expressing his excitement about returning to the Stallions, Malik said, “I am thrilled to be appointed as a mentor for the Stallions, a team with which I have shared many memorable moments as a player and captain. Now, to return in the role of a mentor is an incredible opportunity. I am confident that I can still contribute significantly to the Stallion brand by sharing my experience and passion for the game.”
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Malik emphasised that his role as a mentor extends beyond offering advice from the sidelines, as he plans to actively participate on the field in select matches. “As a mentor, my role goes beyond just providing guidance from the dugout. I will also take to the field in select matches to impart my firsthand knowledge and experience. This will enable our upcoming cricketers to refine their skills and elevate their game, ultimately supporting the Pakistan Cricket Board’s efforts to bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket,” he added.
Malik also highlighted the value of the Champions Cup format, which brings together the best domestic talents in a highly competitive environment. “I am a strong advocate of the Champions Cup format, which unites the best talents from our domestic cricket in a highly competitive, high-pressure environment. While there will be fierce battles for supremacy on the field, there will also be intense rivalries among the mentors as we strive to outmanoeuvre each other, bringing an extra layer of excitement to every match,” he stated.
Malik believes that the tournament will play a crucial role in strengthening Pakistan’s cricket structure by bridging the gap between domestic and international cricket. “In cricket, as in any field, the learning process never truly ends, but it can certainly be accelerated. With this in mind, I am optimistic that the Champions Cup, guided by our experienced mentors, skilled coaching staff, and live broadcasts, will significantly strengthen our domestic cricket structure. This, in turn, will cultivate more skilled and talented players, ready to take on the global stage.”
He concluded with a message of patience and persistence, stating, “Of course, such progress won’t happen overnight, but with patience and persistence, we can achieve our shared goals. I eagerly anticipate the support of our dedicated Stallion fans and the media throughout the Champions Cup. Together, we can develop new champions who will bring glory not just to the team, but to our region and our country.”
The Stallions’ matches will all take place at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, with their first game against the Lions scheduled for 13 September.
