Shamyl Hussain and Saad Khan smashed centuries before captain Shaheen Shah Afridi produced a stunning seven-wicket haul to steer Pakistan Gold to a 101-run victory over Pakistan Greens and lift the National Champions Cup 2026 trophy at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Pakistan Gold posted a massive 340 before dismissing their opponents for 239 in 37.3 overs. Saad Baig top-scored for Pakistan Greens with a determined half-century, but the wicketkeeper-batter could not prevent his side from being bowled out and suffering a comprehensive defeat.
The Greens got off to a spirited start to their pursuit as their opening pair of Omair Bin Yousuf and in-form Fakhar Zaman put together 53 runs at a brisk pace until the latter was cleaned up by Mubasir Khan in the eighth over.
Following Zaman’s dismissal, Baig joined Yousuf in the middle, and the duo batted sensibly to register an 80-run partnership for the second wicket before both perished in successive overs.
Baig remained the top-scorer for the Greens with a 51-ball 67, laced with nine fours and two sixes, while Yousuf contributed with 44 off 50 deliveries.
Later, Gold captain Shaheen triggered the Greens’ batting collapse as he struck thrice in quick succession, dismissing Farhan Yousaf (two), Mohammad Suleman (10) and counterpart Shadab Khan (six), to bring the total down to 167/6.
Following Shaheen’s outburst, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf and lower-order batter Naseem Shah raised a gutsy 61-run partnership to keep the Greens in the hunt.
The partnership was eventually broken when Shaheen got Naseem caught behind, who walked back after scoring 31 off 27 deliveries with the help of two sixes and as many fours.
Shaheen ran through the Greens’ batting tail in the final over with a hat-trick to clinch the coveted National Champions Cup 2026 title for his side as Ashraf remained stranded on 38 not out from 30 balls.
Skipper Shaheen spearheaded the Gold’s bowling charge with sensational figures of 7/36 in his 8.3 overs, while Faisal Akram, Razaullah and Mubasir chipped in with one scalp apiece.
Earlier, Shamyl and Saad struck blistering centuries to power Pakistan Gold to 340 in the first innings.
Openers Muhammad Akhlaq and Hussain provided a strong start through a 78-run stand. Akhlaq fell for 31, while Kamran Ghulam was dismissed for 10 soon after, leaving Gold at 95-2.
Hussain and Saad then steadied the innings with a 137-run partnership. Hussain completed his third List A century before Faheem Ashraf dismissed him for a quick 111 off 93 balls, including 11 fours and four sixes.
Saad continued his aggressive batting, reaching his second List A century while adding valuable partnerships with Abdul Samad and Mubasir Khan. He eventually finished as Gold’s highest scorer with 112 off 102 balls, hitting 11 fours and four sixes.
Naseem Shah removed both Saad and Mubasir in the penultimate over, while Gold lost their final three wickets in the last over, including two runouts.
For Greens, Naseem, Faheem and Shadab Khan claimed two wickets each, while Mehran Mumtaz and Mohammad Hasnain took one apiece.
Pakistan Greens’ Fakhar Zaman was adjudged player of the tournament.
2026-08-18 22:55:00
