Champions One Day Cup: High-Stakes Cricket In Faisalabad

One hundred and fifty top players of the country will participate in the Champions One Day Cup, which will start at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad. From Sep 12 to Sep 29, that opening match is Wolves vs. Panthers. On Monday, the PCB unveiled the five champion mentors and their respective teams. The fifteen-member squads are to be announced in the coming days.

The 50-over tournament will be played in a single-league format, with all matches set to begin at 3:00 p.m. Initially, the competition structure guarantees plenty of action-packed cricket as teams vie for the top spots.

As the tournament advances, the intensity will escalate, with each match becoming increasingly critical. Consequently, the stakes will get higher, making every game crucial as teams battle for the best positions and a spot in the playoffs.

When the playoffs arrive, excitement reaches its peak, featuring three crucial games packed into just four days. This period of heightened competition will set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.

Moreover, this intense stretch will culminate in the grand final on Sunday, 29 September 2018. Given the tight schedule, every match becomes pivotal, creating an exhilarating build-up to the championship. Ultimately, the team that handles the pressure best will secure victory.

Notably, this game is unique because it will start at 9:30 a.m. local time, while the other 13 matches are all scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. start.

The reason for this early kickoff is to accommodate the live broadcast of the Pakistan vs. South Africa T20I, a much-awaited international fixture. As a result, by scheduling the Lions and Panthers game in the morning, fans can enjoy both matches without any overlap, making it a win-win for cricket enthusiasts.

The much-anticipated Champions One-Day Cup is set to begin at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium, showcasing elite teams and global cricket stars in what is expected to be a fiercely contested tournament. To begin with, the opening match will see UMT Markhors, led by Mohammad Rizwan, take on Shadab Khan’s Panthers. This match marks the start of a competition with a substantial PKR 49 million prize pool.

Additionally, with the tournament featuring the finest cricketers from Pakistan, the Champions One-Day Cup is poised to deliver intense competition. Not only does the event highlight domestic talent, but it also serves as a crucial stepping stone for players aspiring for national selection ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Featuring international names like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Haris, the star-studded rosters are ready to battle for supremacy on the field.

Teams Ready

As for the teams, the UMT Markhors, formerly known as the Wolves, enter the tournament with a balanced and formidable lineup. Led by Rizwan, with Misbah-ul-Haq as mentor, they are prepared for a strong showing. In contrast, the Panthers, under the leadership of Shadab Khan and coached by Saqlain Mushtaq, are eager to start their campaign with a victory.

Rizwan, expressing his excitement, remarked, “This domestic competition is the backbone of our cricket. Moreover, we believe this tournament will be a great platform for emerging players to showcase their skills.”

On the other hand, Shadab Khan emphasized the need for consistency and team unity: “We’ve trained hard, and now it’s about translating that effort into results. Given the strength of our squad, I’m confident we have what it takes to win.”

Format and Schedule

The tournament will feature five teams: UMT Markhors, Panthers, Allied Bank Stallions, Nurpur Lions, and Dolphins. Each team will compete in a round-robin format, with 23 matches spread across Faisalabad.

In the upcoming matches, Friday’s lineup includes a clash between Mohammad Haris’ Stallions and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Lions. Meanwhile, on Saturday, Saud Shakeel’s Dolphins will face off against Shadab Khan’s Panthers. Given that each team boasts both established stars and rising talent, fans can look forward to thrilling and high-pressure contests throughout the tournament.

Regarding the event schedule, all matches will take place at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. The match between the Lions and Panthers on 16 September will kick off at 9:30 a.m. While the remaining matches are scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m.

12 Sep: Kicking off with an element of surprise, the Wolves will take on the Panthers.

13 Sep: Next up, the Stallions will face off against the Lions.

14 Sep: Following that, the Dolphins will clash with the Panthers.

15 Sep: On the following day, the Wolves are set to battle the Stallions.

17 Sep: The Dolphins will go head-to-head with the Wolves shortly after.

19 Sep: As a quick flashback, on this day back in 2012, the Stallions and Dolphins faced off in a thrilling encounter.

20 Sep: Fast forward to the present, the Lions will challenge the Wolves.

21 Sep: The Panthers will then face the Stallions.

22 Sep: Soon after, the Dolphins will meet the Lions in what promises to be a fierce match.

24 Sep: The Qualifier match will feature Team No. 1 versus Team No. 2.

25 Sep: In the first Eliminator, Team No. 3 will battle Team No. 4.

27 Sep: Following this, Eliminator 2 will see the losing qualifier team face the winning team from Eliminator 1.

29 Sep: Finally, all eyes will be on the Final, where the two top teams will fight for the championship title.

Champions One Day Cup International cricket returns to Faisalabad

The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Multan Cricket Stadium, and Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad are being considered as potential venues for a test match during England’s tour to Pakistan in October.

The present Sitting capacity of these stadiums
Multan: 35,000
Faislabad: 25,000
Pindi: 15,000