Champions Cup Teams: All About Markhors, Dolphins, Panthers, Lions, and Stallions
The Champions Cup 2024-25 is just around the corner, and cricket fans are buzzing with excitement. This year’s tournament will feature five top-tier teams: Markhors, Dolphins, Panthers, Lions, and Stallions. In this article, we’ll break down everything we know so far about these Champions Cup Teams, including key mentors, venues, and the schedule.
Why Champions Cup announced before the Champions Trophy?
The Champions Cup was announced to bring high-level domestic cricket competition to Pakistan, featuring local talent and providing a platform for players to showcase their skills. The tournament aims to revive the cricketing spirit in the country while giving fans a chance to see thrilling matches between well-mentored teams.
It also aims to attract attention to domestic cricket by involving renowned former players as mentors, fostering young talent, and building excitement with a competitive format.
Champions Cup Teams Profile for First Season 2024-25
Markhors
The Markhors(Formerly Wolves) will be mentored by the calm and experienced Misbah-ul-Haq. Known for his tactical brilliance, Misbah will bring his strategic approach to help the Markhors stand out in the competition. While the team’s squad and captain haven’t been announced yet, fans can expect a balanced mix of young and experienced players. The Markhors will likely focus on controlled aggression and steady performances under pressure.
Schedule
Lions vs Markhors
7th December (3:30 PM)
Dolphins vs Markhors
10 December (12:00 PM)
Stallions vs Markhors
12 December (11:00 AM)
Panthers vs Markhors
13 December (11 AM)
Lions vs Markhors
15th December (3:30 PM)
Dolphins vs Markhors
18 December (12:00 PM)
Stallions vs Markhors
20 December (11:00 AM)
Panthers vs Markhors
13 December (11 AM)
Dolphins
Guided by former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, the Dolphins are set to be a competitive team. Sarfaraz is known for his aggressive playstyle and ability to motivate his team. With no squad or captain announcements yet, the Dolphins are expected to be a team that plays smart cricket, leveraging both experience and youthful energy.
Schedule
Panthers vs Dolphins
8 December (12 PM)
Dolphins vs Markhors
10 December (12 PM)
Dolphins vs Lions
12 December (3:30 PM)
Stallions vs Dolphins
13 December (3:30 PM)
Panthers vs Dolphins
16 December (12 PM)
Dolphins vs Markhors
18 December (12 PM)
Dolphins vs Lions
20 December (3:30 PM)
Stallions vs Dolphins
21 December (3:30 PM)
Panthers
The Panthers will benefit from the leadership of Saqlain Mushtaq, one of cricket’s greatest spinners. His ability to read the game and develop bowling strategies will be a key asset for the Panthers. While the squad and captain remain unnamed, expect a strong focus on the bowling lineup to dominate opposition teams.
Schedule
Stallions vs Panthers
7 December (11:00AM)
Dolphins vs. Panthers
8 December (12 PM)
Lions vs. Panthers
11 December (12:00 PM)
Panthers vs. Markhors
13 December (11:00 AM)
Stallions vs Panthers
15 December (11:00AM)
Dolphins vs. Panthers
16 December (12 PM)
Lions vs. Panthers
19 December (12:00 PM)
Panthers vs. Markhors
21 December (11:00 AM)
Lions
Waqar Younis, a fast-bowling legend, will mentor the Lions. Known for his pace and aggressive mindset, Waqar will push the team to focus on an attacking style of play. Although the team’s squad and captain have not yet been revealed, the Lions are expected to be a team that relies on speed and power to secure victories.
Schedule
Lions vs Markhors
7 December (3:30 PM)
Stallions vs Lions
9 December (12:00 PM)
Lions vs Panthers
11 December (12:00 PM)
Dolphins vs Lions
12 December (3:30 PM)
Lions vs Markhors
15 December (3:30 PM)
Stallions vs Lions
17 December (12:00 PM)
Lions vs Panthers
19 December (12:00 PM)
Dolphins vs Lions
20 December (3:30 PM)
Stallions
With Shoaib Malik as their mentor, the Stallions will have a well-rounded and versatile team. Malik’s vast experience in various formats of cricket makes him an ideal leader for a balanced squad. The team’s lineup and captain haven’t been announced yet, but expect the Stallions to focus on endurance and adaptability, crucial for long tournaments.
Schedule
Stallions vs Panthers
7 December (11:00 AM)
Stallions vs Lions
9 December (12:00 PM)
Stallions vs Markhors
12 December (11:00 AM)
Stallions vs Dolphins
13 December (3:30 PM)
Stallions vs Panthers
15 December (11:00 AM)
Stallions vs Lions
17 December (12:00 PM)
Stallions vs Markhors
20 December (11:00 AM)
Stallions vs Dolphins
21 December (3:30 PM)
Tournament Format and Venue
The tournament will follow a single-league format, where each team faces off against every other team. After the league stage, the top teams will move on to the playoffs, with the ultimate goal of winning the Champions Cup.
Schedule of the Tournament
The Champions Cup 2024-25 will take place from September 12 to 29, 2024. Although the exact fixtures for each team are still being finalised, fans can expect to see all five teams compete multiple times during the league stage. Each game will be crucial, as every team aims to secure a spot in the playoffs.
Team Squads and Captains
At this point, the team squads and captains for the Champions Cup Teams have not been announced. However, with renowned mentors like Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Waqar Younis guiding the squads, we can expect some of the best cricketing talent to take part in the tournament. Stay tuned for updates on the official team lists and captain announcements as we get closer to the start of the competition.
Key Points to Watch
- Mentorship: Each team has a world-class mentor who will play a critical role in shaping strategies and guiding young talent.
- Venue: The iconic Iqbal Stadium will host all matches, offering fans a chance to witness exciting cricket action.
- Schedule: Matches will be held from September 12 to 29, 2024, with each team fighting to secure a playoff spot.
Conclusion
The Champions Cup 2024-25 is set to be an action-packed event, with top mentors, competitive teams, and a thrilling format. While we await the announcement of team squads and captains, excitement is building around the potential matchups between Markhors, Dolphins, Panthers, Lions, and Stallions. Keep checking Championscup.pk for the latest updates on team news, fixtures, and more!