Pakistan’s Champions One Day Cup Kicks Off
A brand-new domestic cricket competition, the Champions One Day Cup, has officially started in Pakistan. The tournament, scheduled to run from 12th September to 29th September, is taking place at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. Cricket enthusiasts across the country are excited as some of the nation’s top cricket stars, including Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, will be seen in action. Five teams are participating in this tournament, which is played in a round-robin format.
The tournament is already underway, with the first match being played between the Markhors, led by Mohammad Rizwan, and the Panthers, captained by Shadab Khan. This tournament is anticipated to bring out intense competition and thrilling cricket.
Prize Money: Crores at Stake for Winners
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed the prize money for the Champions One Day Cup, and it’s nothing short of impressive. In total, 34 million Pakistani rupees will be awarded as prize money. For the winning team, there’s a handsome reward of 30 million Pakistani rupees (roughly ₹90 lakh in Indian rupees), while the runner-up will take home 15 million Pakistani rupees (about ₹45 lakh in Indian rupees).
This substantial prize pool adds to the excitement and will surely motivate teams to perform at their best.
Big Cricket Stars to Participate
The Champions One Day Cup has attracted many of Pakistan’s biggest cricket stars. Fans will get to see players like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, and Saud Shakeel showcase their talent in this exciting tournament.
The tournament will feature 14 matches, including the final, all held at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. Each team will play in a round-robin format, meaning every team faces each other once before the final match. This format ensures a fair and competitive structure, allowing all teams an equal chance to reach the finals.
Teams and Mentors: Experienced Figures Add to the Action
The tournament is also notable for the mentors assigned to each team, with some of Pakistan’s cricket legends guiding the players. Former captains like Misbah-ul-Haq (Markhors), Saqlain Mushtaq (Panthers), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Dolphins), Shoaib Malik (Stallions), and Waqar Younis (Lions) have been brought in to mentor the five teams, providing valuable experience and advice.
Here are the squads of the participating teams:
Markhors (Led by Mohammad Rizwan):
- Key players: Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, and Shahnawaz Dahani.
Panthers (Led by Shadab Khan):
- Key players: Saim Ayub, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, and Osama Mir.
Lions (Led by Shaheen Shah Afridi):
- Key players: Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Aamir Jamal, and Abdullah Shafique.
Dolphins (Led by Saud Shakeel):
- Key players: Sarfraz Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Sameen Gul, and Qasim Akram.
Stallions (Led by Mohammad Haris):
- Key players: Haris Rauf, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, and Azam Khan.
Tournament Format and Matches
The Champions One Day Cup will run for over two weeks, with teams battling it out for the coveted title and prize money. The format ensures an exciting tournament with each team playing against the others. The final match, which will decide the champion, is expected to be a grand spectacle.
Fans can look forward to watching some of Pakistan’s finest cricket talents in action during this prestigious domestic tournament. All eyes will be on Faisalabad as the tournament promises to showcase thrilling performances and intense competition.
