PCB unveils commentary panel for Champions Cup 2026

MULTAN: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a star-studded commentary panel for the National Champions Cup 2026, adding further excitement to a tournament that could prove important in shaping Pakistan’s future international squad.

The seven-match competition will be played at Multan Cricket Stadium from August 11 to 18, with four teams — Pakistan Greens, Pakistan Whites, Pakistan Blues and Pakistan Gold — competing in a single round-robin format.

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt will headline the commentary team alongside Ali Younis, Tariq Saeed, Aimen Anwar and Raja Asad. Their experience and analysis are expected to provide viewers with deeper insight into the performances of established players and emerging prospects.

Under the tournament format, each team will face the other three sides once. The two teams collecting the most points at the end of the league stage will advance to the final.

The Champions Cup carries added significance as the PCB looks ahead to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027. Selectors will use the competition to closely monitor players competing for national recognition, while younger cricketers will have an opportunity to make a strong impression.

The PCB has selected 44 players across the four squads, with another 13 players included in a reserve pool. Reserve players can replace members of the main squads only in cases involving injury or concussion.

With established internationals sharing the field with promising domestic talent, the tournament is expected to offer a revealing look at Pakistan’s emerging cricketing depth.

For selectors, every match could become an audition. For players, the Champions Cup may represent a crucial step towards earning a place in Pakistan’s plans for the 2027 World Cup, to be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Squads

Pakistan Greens

Playing XI: Shadab Khan (c), Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Farhan Yousuf, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saad Baig (wk) and Sameer Minhas.

Pakistan Whites

Playing XI: Saim Ayub (c), Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Mohsin Riaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Saad Masood, Shahzaib Khan and Usman Khan (wk).

Pakistan Blues

Playing XI: Sahibzada Farhan (c), Abdullah Shafique, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Jahandad Khan, Rohail Nazir (wk), Shamyl Hussain, Sufyan Moqim, Taimur Khan (wk).

Pakistan Gold

Playing XI: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abdul Samad, Abdul Subhan, Faisal Akram, Haider Ali, Kamran Ghulam, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Nawaz, Muhammad Akhlaq (wk), Muhammad Imran and Saad Khan.