FAISALABAD: Pakistan Test vice-captain Saud Shakeel has stated that having former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed in the team is a major boost for the Dolphins in the Champions One-Day Cup.
The five-team season-opening tournament will commence at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Thursday, 12 September, while the final will be played on 29 September.
The Dolphins will kick off their Champions Cup campaign on 14 September against Shadab Khan-led Panthers.
The 29-year-old Saud, who has represented Pakistan in 15 ODIs, talked about his team’s combination and how the experience of Sarfaraz Ahmed as a mentor can help the side to do well in the tournament.
“We have a well-balanced side going into the Champions One-Day Cup,” Saud told PCB Digital.
“The focus is on maintaining a strong combination of experienced players and young talent. This tournament provides an opportunity for the players to prove their mettle and impress the selectors to get selected for the national team.
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“Having Sarfaraz Ahmed in the team as a player and mentor is a massive boost for us. His insights and leadership on and off the field will help young players to develop their game.”
Talking about the importance of the inaugural edition of the tournament, Saud said: “This inaugural edition of the Champions One-Day Cup is going to be crucial for domestic cricket in Pakistan.
“It gives players a big stage to showcase their skills, especially in the 50-over format, which is vital with the upcoming international fixtures. The competition will be intense and it will provide fans to come in good amount to cherish their favourite players performances.”
Dolphine squad (to be trimmed to 15 on 10 September)
Saud Shakeel (captain, Karachi), Aftab Ibrahim (Karachi), Asif Ali (Faisalabad), Awais Ali (Gujranwala), Faheem Ashraf (Kasur), Kashif Ali (Rawalpindi), Mir Hamza (Karachi), Mohammad Huraira (Sialkot), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Peshawar), Muhammad Akhlaq (Kamoki), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (Karachi), Muhammad Riazullah (Peshawar), Noman Ali (Hyderabad), Qasim Akram (Lahore), Sameen Gul (Jamrud), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Karachi), Sahibzada Farhan (Peshawar), Sufiyan Moqim (Kotli), Umar Amin (Rawalpindi) and Usman Qadir (Lahore)
Mentor – Sarfaraz Ahmed
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