Mentors to contribute to PCB’s year-round activities

FAISALABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has assigned significant roles to the mentors of the Champions Cup, appointing them to various cricket academies across the country as part of a broad player development strategy.

The five mentors, each with extensive international cricket experience, will guide players at various high-performance centres in different cities. Sarfaraz Ahmed, the former Pakistan captain, has been given the task at the Karachi academy, where he will focus on nurturing local talent.

Shoaib Malik, a seasoned all-rounder, will perform the same role at the Sialkot academy. Waqar Younis, one of Pakistan’s greatest fast bowlers and former head coach, will oversee the players’ development at Lahore high-performance centre.

In addition, Saqlain Mushtaq, a former Pakistan spinner, has been appointed to the Multan academy. Misbah-ul-Haq, the former captain and head coach, will guide the players at the Faisalabad academy, where he will focus on both emerging and professional cricketers.

Sources within the PCB have confirmed that these mentors were hired on lucrative contracts prior to the start of the Champions Cup. Their responsibilities will extend beyond the tournament, as they are expected to contribute to the PCB’s year-round cricketing activities.

The mentors will be involved in player development programmes, talent identification, and tactical guidance, with a focus on preparing cricketers for both domestic and international competitions.