Shaheen’s Seven-Wicket Masterclass Seals National Champions Cup for Pakistan Gold

MULTAN: Pakistan Gold were crowned champions of the National Champions Cup 2026 after producing a dominant all-round performance to defeat Pakistan Greens by 101 runs at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

After posting a formidable 340, Gold’s bowlers completed the job by dismissing Greens for 239 in 37.3 overs. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi delivered the decisive blow with a sensational seven-wicket haul, including a hat-trick in the final over.

Chasing 341, Greens made a promising start through Omair Bin Yousuf and Fakhar Zaman, who added 53 runs before Zaman was bowled by Mubasir Khan in the eighth over.

Saad Baig then joined Yousuf and helped steady the innings. The pair added 80 runs for the second wicket before departing in consecutive overs. Baig top-scored with an impressive 67 from 51 balls, striking nine fours and two sixes, while Yousuf made 44 off 50.

Shaheen then ripped through the Greens middle order, removing Farhan Yousaf for two, Mohammad Suleman for 10 and Shadab Khan for six in a devastating spell that reduced Greens to 167/6.

Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah briefly revived the chase with a fighting 61-run stand. Shaheen eventually ended the partnership by having Naseem caught behind for 31 off 27 balls, including two fours and two sixes.

With the tail exposed, Shaheen finished the contest in spectacular fashion, claiming a hat-trick in the final over to seal the championship. Faheem remained unbeaten on 38 from 30 balls.

Shaheen finished with remarkable figures of 7/36 from 8.3 overs, while Faisal Akram, Razaullah and Mubasir Khan took one wicket each.

Earlier, Gold captain Shaheen opted to bat first and his decision paid off as his side posted 340 all out, the highest team total of the tournament.

Muhammad Akhlaq and Shamyl Hussain gave Gold a strong start, putting together 78 runs for the opening wicket. Akhlaq made 31 before his dismissal in the 14th over.

Kamran Ghulam fell shortly afterwards for 10, caught behind off Shadab Khan, leaving Gold at 95/2.

Shamyl Hussain was then joined by Saad Khan, and the pair completely shifted the momentum in Gold’s favour. They produced a commanding 137-run partnership, with Hussain reaching his third List A century.

Faheem Ashraf eventually broke the stand in the 34th over, dismissing Hussain for a superb 111 off 93 balls. His innings included 11 fours and four sixes.

Haider Ali was removed for just two by Mehran Mumtaz in the following over, but Gold continued to accelerate. Abdul Samad added 25 from 25 balls in a 46-run partnership with Saad before Shadab dismissed him.

Saad continued his outstanding innings alongside Mubasir Khan, adding another 41 runs. He completed his second List A century by striking Mohammad Hasnain for a boundary over point.

Naseem Shah then struck twice in the penultimate over to remove Mubasir for 21 off 17 and Saad for a magnificent 112 from 102 deliveries. Saad’s innings featured 11 fours and four sixes.

Gold lost their final three wickets in the last over, including two run-outs, and were bowled out for 340.

Naseem Shah, Faheem Ashraf and Shadab Khan claimed two wickets apiece for Greens, while Mehran Mumtaz and Mohammad Hasnain took one each.

Shaheen’s explosive seven-wicket haul and centuries from Shamyl Hussain and Saad Khan ultimately powered Pakistan Gold to a convincing 101-run victory and the National Champions Cup 2026 title.