The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the National Champions Cup 2026 schedule and team squads, marking the beginning of Pakistan’s 2026 to 2027 domestic cricket season. The 50 over List A tournament will be played at the Multan Cricket Stadium from August 11 to August 18, with every match scheduled as a day night fixture starting at 3:00 PM local time.
The tournament featured four competitive teams, Pakistan Greens, Pakistan Whites, Pakistan Blues, and Pakistan Gold, battling in a single round robin format. Each team will play every other side once, while the top two teams on the points table will qualify for the final on August 18.
The PCB has introduced a unique format by announcing fixed playing XIs for every team before the tournament begins. A 13 player reserve pool has also been named, with reserve players allowed to replace only injured or concussed players. This approach is designed to provide consistent opportunities for players while helping selectors closely monitor performances.
Four leading Pakistan stars will captain the participating teams. Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead Pakistan Gold, Shadab Khan will captain Pakistan Greens, Saim Ayub takes charge of Pakistan Whites, while Sahibzada Farhan will lead Pakistan Blues. Several experienced international players, including Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, and Abdullah Shafique, are also part of the competition.
According to the PCB, the tournament plays an important role in preparations for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027. Performances in the National Champions Cup will help the national selection committee assess players, identify emerging talent, and build a stronger squad for future international competitions.
The tournament schedule begins with Pakistan Greens vs Pakistan Whites on August 11, followed by Pakistan Blues vs Pakistan Gold on August 12. The league stage will conclude on August 16, before the top two teams compete in the championship final on August 18. Cricket fans can expect a week of high quality domestic action featuring many of Pakistan’s biggest stars.
