Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium is all set to host the star-studded Champions One-Day Cup, starting on September 12. The tournament will kick off with an exciting match between UMT Markhors, captained by Mohammad Rizwan, and the Panthers, led by Shadab Khan. Misbah-ul-Haq will serve as the mentor for the UMT Markhors, while Saqlain Mushtaq will mentor the Panthers.
The Champions One-Day Cup promises thrilling cricket, with a total prize pool of Rs49 million. The winning team, to be crowned on September 29, will take home Rs30 million, while the runner-up will receive Rs15 million. The tournament’s high stakes and top-notch players have generated immense excitement among cricket fans.
Following the opening match, Mohammad Haris’ Allied Bank Stallions will face Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Nurpur Lions on Friday, September 13. The weekend will continue with another exciting fixture, as Saud Shakeel’s Dolphins go head-to-head with Shadab Khan’s Panthers on Saturday, September 14.
All five teams have been in Faisalabad for the past five days, preparing intensively for the competition. The tournament will showcase the best cricketing talent in the country, with many players eyeing a spot in the national team. The competition is crucial for players looking to make their mark ahead of next year’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025, as Pakistan’s national team gears up for a series of high-profile One Day Internationals (ODIs) in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, followed by a home tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa.
Gary Kirsten, Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, will be present in Faisalabad to observe the 50-over tournament. His observations will likely influence the selection of players for the upcoming international matches. Red-ball coach Jason Gillespie is also expected to join Kirsten later in the competition, providing further expertise.
The Champions One-Day Cup will be played in a single-round format, with each team playing each other once. The top four sides will advance to the playoffs, with the final match scheduled for September 29. The competition’s format ensures that every match is crucial, and teams will have to bring their best to progress to the final stages.
The squads for all five teams have been finalized, with each team reducing its roster to 16 players after the announcement of preliminary squads.
The UMT Markhors boast a strong lineup with Rizwan as captain, and star players like Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Shahnawaz Dahani. The Panthers, led by Shadab Khan, feature talented players like Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, and Saim Ayub. Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the Nurpur Lions, with Imam-ul-Haq and Khushdil Shah among the key players. Saud Shakeel’s Dolphins will field players like Sarfaraz Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, and Usman Qadir. Mohammad Haris’ Stallions, meanwhile, include top stars such as Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed.
With the best players in Pakistan competing for glory, the Champions One-Day Cup promises to be a thrilling and closely watched tournament, as fans eagerly anticipate which team will emerge victorious on September 29.
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