MULTAN, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 19th Aug, 2026) Pakistan Gold produced a stunning all-round performance to defeat Pakistan Greens by 101 runs in the final of the Al Batal Presents University of Lahore National Champions Cup 2026-27 and lift the title at the Multan cricket Stadium.
Gold, led by fast-bowling all-round captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, posted a formidable 340 all out in their allotted 50 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat. In reply, Pakistan Greens were bowled out for 239 in 37.3 overs, giving Gold a comprehensive victory and the championship trophy.
The victory was built around two magnificent centuries from Shamyl Hussain and Saad Khan before Shaheen Shah Afridi delivered a sensational seven-wicket spell to completely dismantle the Greens batting line-up.
Shamyl Hussain set the foundation for the imposing total with a superb 111 off 93 balls, striking 11 fours and four sixes. He added 78 runs for the opening wicket with Muhammad Akhlaq, who contributed 31 off 44 balls.
After Akhlaq’s departure, Kamran Ghulam was dismissed for 10 to leave Gold at 95 for two. Shamyl then joined hands with Saad Khan and the pair transformed the innings with a 137-run partnership. Shamyl completed his third List-A century before being dismissed by Faheem Ashraf at 232 for three.
Saad Khan continued the assault and completed his second List-A hundred. He scored 112 off 102 deliveries, hitting 11 fours and four sixes, and remained the leading scorer for Gold. Abdul Samad added a useful 25 off 25 balls, while Mubasir Khan contributed 21 off 17 balls as Gold crossed the 300-run mark.
Saad was dismissed by Naseem Shah at 329 after making 112, while Gold lost three wickets in the final over to be bowled out for 340 from the last ball of the innings. Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf took two wickets apiece for Greens, while Naseem Shah also claimed two, with Mohammad Hasnain and Mehran Mumtaz taking one each.
Pakistan Greens needed 341 runs for victory but made an encouraging start. Fakhar Zaman and Omair Yousuf added 53 for the opening wicket before Mubasir Khan dismissed Fakhar for 31 off 28 balls, including five fours and a six.
Saad Baig then joined Omair Yousuf and the pair added 80 runs for the second wicket. Baig played an aggressive innings of 67 from 51 balls, hitting nine fours and two sixes, while Omair contributed 44 off 50 balls. Their dismissals in successive overs changed the complexion of the chase.
Pakistan Greens slipped further when Gold captain Shaheen Shah Afridi struck in the middle overs, removing Mohammad Suleman, Farhan Yousaf and Shadab Khan in quick succession.
The Greens were reduced to 167 for six, leaving them under mounting pressure with more than 170 runs still required.
Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah briefly revived the chase with a fighting partnership. Naseem scored 31 off 27 balls, including two fours and two sixes, while Faheem remained unbeaten on 38 off 30 balls. Their resistance, however, could not withstand Shaheen’s final assault.
Shaheen returned to complete one of the most memorable bowling performances of the tournament. He finished with extraordinary figures of 7 for 36 from 8.3 overs, including a hat-trick in the final over. His seven-wicket haul tore through the Greens’ lower order and sealed the championship for Gold.
Shaheen’s wickets were supported by Mubasir Khan, Faisal Akram and Razaullah, who took one wicket each. Pakistan Greens were eventually dismissed for 239 in 37.3 overs, falling 101 runs short of their target.
For Pakistan Gold, Shamyl Hussain’s 111 and Saad Khan’s 112 provided the batting platform, while Shaheen’s seven-wicket haul completed a remarkable captain’s performance. Shaheen was subsequently named Player of the Match, as also reflected in the official match details.
The final also marked a remarkable turnaround for Pakistan Gold, who had suffered defeats in their first two league matches — against Pakistan Blues and Pakistan Greens — before defeating Pakistan Whites in their final league game to qualify for the final on net run-rate. They then overturned their earlier heavy defeat against Greens in emphatic fashion in the title clash.
Pakistan Greens, who had remained unbeaten through the league stage and entered the final as favourites after defeating Gold by 128 runs earlier in the tournament, were unable to repeat that performance.
Despite the final defeat, Fakhar Zaman was named Player of the Tournament for his outstanding campaign.
The National Champions Cup, featuring Pakistan Greens, Gold, Whites and Blues, was staged at the Multan Cricket Stadium as part of Pakistan’s preparations and talent assessment ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
The champions’ victory earned Pakistan Gold the inaugural title of the competition, with the tournament carrying a total prize fund of Rs 8.15 million and Rs five million allocated for the champions.
