Shaheen Afridi Set to Lead Lions in Champions One-Day Cup
Pakistan’s star pacer, Shaheen Shah Afridi, is all set to lead the Lions in the upcoming Champions One-Day Cup at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad. Known for his impressive leadership in guiding the Lahore Qalandars to two HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) titles, Shaheen now takes on a new challenge in this prestigious domestic tournament.
Under the mentorship of former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis, Shaheen is eager to showcase his skills and leadership abilities, guiding his team through tough competition. Reflecting on the task ahead, the left-arm pacer expressed both excitement and determination.
“Leading the Lions will be a thrilling experience, especially with the high stakes of the Champions One-Day Cup and the presence of young, talented players on our squad. I’m ready to give my best — both as a player and a captain — throughout the tournament,” Shaheen said.
The 24-year-old pacer also recalled his debut in the domestic One-Day Cup back in 2018, where he made an impact as an 18-year-old. He described the feeling of returning to Faisalabad with international experience as “surreal” and is committed to helping the younger players on the team create their own memorable experiences.
Shaheen emphasized the importance of thorough preparation, with the Lions facing tough opponents right from the start. “Our first game is against a strong Stallions squad, which shows how competitive this tournament will be. That’s why it’s crucial for us to prepare well and hit the ground running,” he added.
Lions Provisional Squad (to be finalized on 10 September):
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain, Peshawar)
- Abdullah Shafique (Sialkot)
- Aamir Jamal (Islamabad)
- Aamer Yamin (Multan)
- Faisal Akram (Multan)
- Hassan Nawaz (Islamabad)
- Hunain Shah (Lahore)
- Imam-ul-Haq (Lahore)
- Imran Butt (Lahore)
- Khushdil Shah (Bannu)
- Mohammad Asghar (Karachi)
- Muhammad Irfan Khan (Mianwali)
- Mohammad Taha (Karachi)
- Omair Bin Yousuf (Karachi)
- Rohail Nazir (Islamabad)
- Shahab Khan (Mardan)
- Sharoon Siraj (Sahiwal)
- Sirajuddin (Bajaur)
- Waqar Hussain (Okara)
Mentor: Waqar Younis
Lions Match Schedule:
- 13 Sep: Stallions vs. Lions (Day/Night, 3 PM)
- 16 Sep: Lions vs. Panthers (Day, 9:30 AM)
- 20 Sep: Lions vs. Wolves (Day/Night, 3 PM)
- 22 Sep: Dolphins vs. Lions (Day/Night, 3 PM)
With a strong squad and the guidance of Waqar Younis, Shaheen Afridi is ready to lead the Lions in what promises to be an exciting tournament.
