Pakistan Blues Start National Champions Cup With Comfortable Win Over Pakistan Gold

Pakistan Blues made a winning start to the National Champions Cup 2026, beating Pakistan Gold by six wickets at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Captain Sahibzada Farhan led the way with a quick century, while Sufiyan Muqeem and Hasan Ali took four wickets each.

Gold captain Shaheen Shah Afridi chose to bat first, but the decision did not work out as planned. His side was bowled out for 212 in 45.3 overs, despite half-centuries from Shamyl Hussain and Kamran Ghulam.

Gold struggled early in their innings, losing opener Saad Khan for nine in the fifth over. At that point, they had managed only 25 runs on the board.

After losing an early wicket, Kamran Ghulam came in and joined Shamyl Hussain at the crease. The pair steadied the innings with a 75-run stand for the second wicket, with Hussain completing his third List A half-century during the partnership.

Sufiyan Muqeem finally ended the partnership in the 21st over by removing Hussain. The opener scored a quick 50 from 47 balls, hitting six fours and a six. Ghulam and Haider Ali then added 36 runs for the third wicket before Arafat Minhas dismissed Ghulam in the 28th over. Ghulam was the top scorer for Gold, making 63 off 84 balls with six fours and a six.

His wicket led to a quick fall of wickets as Gold struggled to keep their innings together. Haider Ali, however, continued to score runs and tried to keep the side going. He was eventually caught behind in the 42nd over, courtesy of Hasan Ali’s brilliant spell.

Gold were 195/7 when Haider was dismissed. The Blues then wrapped up the innings quickly, taking the final three wickets for just 17 runs to bowl Gold out for 212.

Chasing 213 for victory, the Blues reached the target with ease, losing four wickets and having 44 balls left.

Captain Sahibzada Farhan led the chase with a brilliant 102 off 101 balls. His innings included nine fours and two sixes, giving the Blues a strong impetus in the middle.

Mohammad Faiq and Tayyab Tahir also played useful knocks of 30 and 35 in the second innings. Rohail Nazir and Mohammad Irfan Khan then finished the job, adding an unbeaten 19-run stand to take the Pakistan Blues across the line.