Waqar to mentor Lions in Champions One-Day Cup

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Hall of Famer and legendary fast bowler Waqar Younis has been confirmed as the mentor for the Lions team in this month’s Champions One-Day Cup.

The highly anticipated tournament, featuring the nation’s top 150 cricketers, will be held in Faisalabad from September 12 to September 29, 2024. The Lions will be allocated the National Cricket Academy for training during the 2024-25 domestic cricket season.

The Champions One-Day Cup will feature a single-league format, with 14 matches scheduled over 17 days. All matches, except for the Lions’ September 16 day game against the Panthers, will commence at 3 p.m. The tournament will conclude with a final on Sunday, September 29, following three playoffs in four days. The Lions are set to face Shoaib Malik’s Stallions in their opener on September 13 at the Iqbal Stadium.

Expressing his excitement for his new role, Waqar stated, “I am excited about the opportunity to once again contribute to player development. This new role presents a fresh challenge that I embrace with great enthusiasm.”

With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on the horizon, Waqar emphasised the significance of the Champions One-Day Cup as a platform for players to showcase their talent and secure national selection. “This tournament will help us identify future stars who, with the right guidance and development, can serve our country for many years to come,” he added.