Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has recently shared insights into his future as a player and his new role as the mentor of the Dolphins side for the upcoming Champions One-Day Cup. The tournament, which will take place at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad from September 12 to September 29, will see Sarfaraz join a roster of prominent figures serving as mentors for various teams. Sarfaraz, at 37, is currently the most active Pakistani player among the five mentors announced for the cup.
In a press conference, Sarfaraz expressed enthusiasm about his new role, highlighting it as a significant learning opportunity. He emphasized that while he is committed to his mentoring duties, he will remain available for both domestic and international cricket. “This is a great opportunity for me. It’s also a chance for me to learn. I will strive to bring forward good players who can represent Pakistan,” Sarfaraz stated. He assured fans of his continued availability for the national team and domestic commitments. “With time, everything will fall into place. Right now, I feel I can still play. I will continue to play as long as I can,” he added.
Sarfaraz’s remarks come in the wake of Pakistan’s recent 2-0 Test series defeat to Bangladesh. Despite the setback, Sarfaraz urged fans to continue their support for the national team. “My message to the fans is that this Pakistan team will make a comeback. Support your players. Support your players in the Champions Cup,” he said.
Regarding the Champions One-Day Cup, Sarfaraz detailed his approach to team selection. He revealed that he worked closely with his coaching staff to select the Dolphins team from a draft of 150 players. The focus, according to Sarfaraz, will be on the development of under-19 players. “We will focus on the development of U19 players and with my experience, we will try to bring forward good players,” he noted. Despite the short preparation time of twelve to fourteen days, Sarfaraz is determined to set Pakistan cricket on the right path, emphasizing the importance of building a strong foundation for the future.
The Champions One-Day Cup will feature several key matches leading up to the finals, all taking place at Iqbal Stadium. The schedule includes:
- September 12: Wolves vs. Panthers
- September 13: Stallions vs. Lions
- September 14: Dolphins vs. Panthers
- September 15: Wolves vs. Stallions
- September 16: Lions vs. Panthers
- September 17: Dolphins vs. Wolves
- September 19: Stallions vs. Dolphins
- September 20: Lions vs. Wolves
- September 21: Panthers vs. Stallions
- September 22: Dolphins vs. Lions
- September 24: Qualifier (Team No. 1 vs. Team No. 2)
- September 25: Eliminator 1 (Team No. 3 vs. Team No. 4)
- September 27: Eliminator 2 (Losing Qualifier vs. Winning Eliminator 2)
- September 29: Final
The mentors for the Champions One-Day Cup include:
- Shoaib Malik – Stallions
- Misbah-ul-Haq – Wolves
- Waqar Younis – Lions
- Saqlain Mushtaq – Panthers
- Sarfaraz Ahmed – Dolphins
Sarfaraz Ahmed’s dual role as a mentor and player underscores his ongoing commitment to Pakistani cricket, blending experience with a forward-looking approach to player development. His efforts in the Champions One-Day Cup are expected to contribute positively to the sport’s growth and the nurturing of emerging talent.
