LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain and all-rounder Shoaib Malik has expressed his excitement to mentor young cricketers in the Champions One Day Cup 2024, aiming to impart vital knowledge on physical fitness, game awareness, and professionalism.
Addressing a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday, Malik said he is eager to share his experience and skills with budding cricketers to help them meet the challenges of international cricket.
Malik is the first of five mentors to unveil his team, Stallions, in the Champions Cup, which features the best talents from domestic cricket in a highly competitive environment. The tournament is scheduled to start from September 12 at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.
The 35-player pool for each team will include players from U19 to national team, with the captain selected from among the most promising players to lead the team in the future.
Malik emphasized that his role as a mentor will go beyond instructions from the dugout, and he may take the field alongside his wards in select matches to share first-hand knowledge and skills.
He clarified that he has not announced retirement from T20 cricket yet and will continue to play domestic T20 cricket and selected franchise leagues until he decides to retire.
Malik expressed optimism that the Champions Cup will significantly strengthen Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure, cultivating more skilled and talented players ready to take on the global stage.
As one of the greatest all-rounders produced by Pakistan, Malik has represented the country in numerous international tournaments, including the ICC Men’s World Cups, T20I World Cups, and Champions Trophy tournaments. He is considered one of the most sought-after cricketers in franchise cricket and is the second-highest run-getter in T20 cricket worldwide.
