Centuries and Shaheen’s seven-wicket haul fire Pakistan Gold to National Champions Cup title

Pakistan Gold clinched the National Champions Cup title in emphatic fashion, defeating Pakistan Greens by 101 runs in the final after centuries from Shamyl Hussain and Saad Khan were followed by a devastating seven-wicket haul from Shaheen Afridi.

Batting first, Pakistan Gold posted a formidable 340 all out in their allotted 50 overs, with Shamyl and Saad providing the foundation for a commanding total.

Shamyl Hussain played a superb attacking innings, scoring 111 from 93 balls with 11 fours and four sixes. He reached his half-century from 42 deliveries before accelerating through the middle overs and bringing up his century from just 80 balls.

He found an excellent partner in Saad Khan, with the pair adding more than 100 runs to put Gold firmly in control. After Shamyl’s dismissal, Saad continued the assault and completed his century from 97 deliveries.

Saad eventually finished with 112 from 102 balls, also striking 11 fours and four sixes, as Pakistan Gold crossed the 300-run mark in the 45th over before being bowled out for 340.

Chasing 341, Pakistan Greens made a promising start. They reached 50 in 7.1 overs and were 65 for one at the end of the PowerPlay. Saad Baig kept the chase alive with an aggressive 67 from 51 balls, including nine fours and two sixes.

Greens reached 122 for one after 17 overs, but Pakistan Gold’s bowling attack soon turned the contest on its head.

Shaheen Afridi delivered the decisive spell of the final, ripping through the Greens batting line-up with pace and movement. The left-arm pacer finished with extraordinary figures of 7 for 36 in 8.3 overs, dismantling the chase and preventing Greens from building another substantial partnership.

Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah briefly offered resistance with a 50-run partnership as Greens crossed 200, but the target had become increasingly out of reach.

Pakistan Greens were eventually bowled out for 239 in 37.3 overs, handing Pakistan Gold a comprehensive 101-run victory and the National Champions Cup crown.

The final belonged to Pakistan Gold’s all-round performance: two magnificent centuries with the bat and a match-winning seven-wicket burst from Shaheen Afridi sealed a memorable championship triumph.

Match Summary

Pakistan Gold: 340 all out (50 overs)

Shamyl Hussain 111, Saad Khan 112

Pakistan Greens: 239 all out (37.3 overs)

Saad Baig 67

Shaheen Afridi: 7/36 (8.3 overs)

Pakistan Gold won by 101 runs and were crowned National Champions Cup champions.