Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Afridi produced a career-best spell in the National Champions Cup 2026 final, helping Gold secure the domestic one-day title in dominant fashion. The left-arm fast bowler took seven wickets, including a hat-trick, to lead Pakistan Gold to a 101-run win over Pakistan Greens.
Pakistan Gold batted first in the final at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, August 18. Openers Shamyl Hussain and Saad Khan scored centuries to help Pakistan Gold post a massive total of 340 runs. Shaheen and the bowling attack then dismissed the Shadab Khan-led Pakistan Greens for 239 in 37.3 overs.
Shamyl Hussain and Saad Khan Set Up Shaheen Afridi's Match-Winning Spell
Shamyl Hussain and Saad Khan scored centuries during the National Champions Cup final. After Shaheen Afridi won the toss and chose to bat first, the two left-handers steadied the innings with a 137-run partnership and pushed Gold towards a massive total.
Shamyl Hussain scored 111 off 93 balls, hitting 11 fours and four sixes, before Mohammad Hasnain dismissed him. Saad Khan top-scored with 112 off 102 deliveries with 11 fours and four sixes.
Muhammad Akhlaq scored 31, while Abdul Samad and Mubasir Khan added 25 and 21 respectively. Their contributions helped Pakistan Gold reach 340 in 50 overs. For the Greens, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah took two wickets each.
Shaheen Afridi Takes Seven Wickets and Completes Stunning Hat-Trick
Pakistan Greens made a strong start to the chase, with Saad Baig scoring 67 and Omair Bin Yousuf making 44. The pair helped Greens reach 143/1 and put them in a strong position. Omair was then dismissed by Razaullah, while Saad Baig fell to Faisal Akram soon after, leaving Greens at 147/3.
Shaheen Afridi then took charge in the middle overs. Farhan Yousaf and Mohammad Suleman both fell while attempting pull shots, with Abdul Samad completing the catches at deep square leg. Shaheen then removed captain Shadab Khan, who attempted an upper-cut but found the fielder at third man.
Pakistan Greens suddenly found themselves in serious trouble at 167/6 after losing five wickets for 24 runs. However, Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah refused to give up, adding a valuable 61-run partnership for the seventh wicket and briefly reviving the chase before Shaheen returned to finish the game.
Shaheen Afridi Completes Hat-Trick to Seal Pakistan Gold's Victory
Shaheen Afridi broke the stand in the 36th over, dismissing Naseem Shah for 31. He completed a hat-trick in the 38th over. He trapped Mehran Mumtaz lbw with the first ball, deceived Salman Mirza with a slower delivery for a return catch and then bowled Mohammad Hasnain with a yorker on the third ball.
Pakistan Greens were bowled out for 239 in 37.3 overs, giving Pakistan Gold a 101-run victory. Shaheen finished with 7/36 from 8.3 overs, recording his best List A figures and his fourth five-wicket haul in the format.
Shaheen recorded the 19th List A hat-trick on Pakistan soil and earned him the Player of the Match award. He was not selected for the three-match Test series against England beginning August 19 and had also missed the Test series against the West Indies.
Also read: 'Shaheen Afridi has a lot left': Azhar Mahmood opens up on Pakistan pacers’ declining pace
