Ahmedabad
The PCB has not disclosed the reason for Waqar’s change in role, from advisor to mentor. The three-year contract as a mentor was the outcome of what the PCB described as a “transparent and rigorous recruitment process.” It is believed that both parties felt that Waqar would be better suited for a team-building role like this, with more active involvement in the team’s development.
The position of advisor to the chairman is still open for applications.
Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shoaib Malik, and Sarfaraz Ahmed are the other mentors, with Sarfaraz being the only playing mentor. The PCB confirmed that Sarfaraz would continue his playing career. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi was quoted as saying, “I am delighted to announce the appointment of five exceptional champions as mentors for the Champions Cup teams. These individuals bring valuable cricketing experience, knowledge, and expertise, coupled with their love for the game, which will aid the PCB in identifying, developing, and nurturing the next generation of cricketers in all formats. This initiative will not only benefit the Pakistan men’s cricket team but also help bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket.”
The Champions One-Day Cup will be the mentors’ first assignment, with the tournament scheduled to take place in Faisalabad from September 12-29.
