MULTAN, AUG 9: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced free entry for cricket fans in Multan during the National Champions Cup 2026, giving spectators an opportunity to watch Pakistan’s leading domestic players in action at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
According to sources, fans will be able to watch the seven-match 50-over List-A tournament without paying an entry fee, with the competition taking place from August 11 to 18 and marking the start of Pakistan’s 2026-27 domestic cricket season.
Four teams — Pakistan Greens, Pakistan Whites, Pakistan Blues and Pakistan Gold — will compete in a single round-robin format, with the top two sides qualifying for the final on August 18.
Several prominent Pakistan players are set to feature in the tournament, including Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Arafat Minhas and Sufiyan Muqeem.
The four teams will be led by Shaheen Afridi, Shadab, Saim and Sahibzada Farhan, adding further interest to the competition. All matches will be played as day-night fixtures at the Multan Cricket Stadium, with each game scheduled to begin at 3pm local time.
The PCB has also introduced fixed playing XIs for each team, alongside a 13-player reserve pool. Reserve players will only be permitted to replace players who suffer injuries or concussion during the tournament.
The 44-player squads and reserve pool have been selected as part of Pakistan’s preparations for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, providing the national selectors with an opportunity to assess players and identify emerging talent ahead of the tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
With free entry announced for fans, the PCB is also encouraging local cricket supporters to attend the matches and witness the country’s leading domestic players in action.
Squads
Pakistan Greens
Playing XI: Shadab Khan (c), Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Farhan Yousuf, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saad Baig (wk) and Sameer Minhas.
Pakistan Whites
Playing XI: Saim Ayub (c), Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Mohsin Riaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Saad Masood, Shahzaib Khan and Usman Khan (wk).
Pakistan Blues
Playing XI: Sahibzada Farhan (c), Abdullah Shafique, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Jahandad Khan, Rohail Nazir (wk), Shamyl Hussain, Sufyan Moqim, Taimur Khan (wk).
Pakistan Gold
Playing XI: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abdul Samad, Abdul Subhan, Faisal Akram, Haider Ali, Kamran Ghulam, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Nawaz, Muhammad Akhlaq (wk), Muhammad Imran and Saad Khan.
National Champions Cup 2026 schedule
August 11: Pakistan Greens vs Pakistan Whites
August 12: Pakistan Blues vs Pakistan Gold
August 13: Pakistan Blues vs Pakistan Whites
August 14: Pakistan Gold vs Pakistan Greens
August 15: Pakistan Blues vs Pakistan Greens
August 16: Pakistan Gold vs Pakistan Whites
August 18: Final
