As Pakistan gears up to avoid their first series defeat against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is simultaneously making significant strides in domestic cricket. The PCB has introduced the Champions Cup, a new series of domestic tournaments, starting with a one-day competition on September 12 in Lahore. This initiative marks a strategic move to bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket.

To ensure the success of the Champions Cup, the PCB has appointed five high-profile mentors—Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Malik. These mentors bring a wealth of experience, aiming to maximize the potential of domestic players and prepare them for the challenges of international cricket. Misbah-ul-Haq, mentoring the Wolves, has articulated his vision of allowing players to fully explore their abilities without limitations, focusing on adaptability and fitness.

“My thinking is you need to try and maximise a player’s potential. If a player is well-equipped and technically good, he can play all formats. We have to look at how he manages his fitness and potential, and not have any pre-conceived notions about any player. Then we can look at which player specifically fits into our team. That doesn’t mean we limit a player’s ceiling. As mentor and coach, we need to explore their potential to the full.

“The vision is to reduce the gap between domestic and international cricket. I feel it and players feel it too. When I came to the international side, it took three to four years to believe that I belonged to international cricket. The vision of the mentors is to prepare the players to raise them to that level, so they adjust with it. This requires a lot of hard work, and it will only happen if we do it.”

Shoaib Malik, who is mentoring the Stallions, will also participate in select T20 matches, providing direct mentorship on the field. Both Malik and Misbah have deep connections with their respective domestic teams, adding a layer of legacy and experience to their roles. He said,

“As a mentor, my role goes beyond just providing guidance from the dugout. I will also take to the field in select matches to impart my first-hand knowledge and experience. This will enable our upcoming cricketers to refine their skills and elevate their game, ultimately supporting the Pakistan Cricket Board’s efforts to bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket.”

However, the financial implications of these mentor roles have raised eyebrows. Each mentor is on a three-year contract, earning around PKR 5 million (USD 18,000) per month. This significant expenditure totals approximately USD 2.7 million over three years, nearly half of the PCB’s broadcast revenue for international cricket at home over the next 30 months.

Additionally, the PCB has embarked on extensive renovations at Lahore and Karachi stadiums, with minor upgrades in Rawalpindi. These investments, alongside the mentor salaries, reflect the PCB’s broader strategy under Mohsin Naqvi to prioritize cricket infrastructure and player development over cost-saving measures.

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