LAHORE - Fakhar Zaman produced a trademark attacking century to inspire Pakistan Greens to a convincing five-wicket victory over Pakistan Whites in the opening match of the National Champions Cup 2026 at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Left handed opener Fakhar became the sixth Pakistan batter to rack up 20 or more List A tons joining Babar Azam (31), Khurram Manzoor (27), Saeed Anwar (26), Salman Butt (24) and Kamran Akmal (21) on the list. It was also his second fastest century in the format besides his 63-ball ton against New Zea-land in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
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The experienced left-hander smashed a scintillating 123 off 104 deliveries, laced with 18 boundaries and two sixes, as the Greens comfortably chased down a competitive 277-run target with six balls to spare. His match-winning knock earned him the Player of the Match award and gave his side the per-fect start to the four-team tournament, which forms part of Pakistan’s preparations for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
Fakhar dominated the chase from the outset, combining aggressive stroke play with calculated risk-taking to keep the required rate firmly under control. He received useful support from Farhan Yousaf, who contributed a steady 38, before captain Shadab Khan guided the innings home with an unbeaten 34.
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For Pakistan Whites, emerging all-rounder Saad Masood was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2-30 from seven overs, while Mohammad Wasim Jr, Khushdil Shah and Shahnawaz Dahani claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, Pakistan Whites posted 276-8 after captain Saim Ayub opted to bat first. Opener Shahzaib Khan anchored the innings with a composed 76 off 88 balls following the early departures of Ayub (14) and Mohsin Riaz (1). Middle-order batters Hasan and Mubasir Shah then revived the innings with fluent half-centuries. Hasan struck 56 off 61 deliveries, while Shah added a brisk 51 from 44 balls to lift the Whites to a competitive total.
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Naseem Shah led the Greens’ bowling attack with impressive figures of 3-46 in nine overs. Faheem Ashraf chipped in with two wickets, while Salman Mirza and Mehran Mumtaz claimed one apiece.
PAKISTAN GREENS 277-5 in 49 overs (Fakhar Zaman 123, Farhan Yousaf 38, Shadab Khan 34*; Saad Masood 2-30) beat PAKISTAN WHITES 276-8 in 50 overs (Shahzaib Khan 76, Hasan 56, Mubasir Shah 51; Naseem Shah 3-46) by 5 wickets.