PCB Announces Commentary Panel for Champions Cup 2026: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed the commentary panel for the National Champions Cup 2026, which is set to take place at Multan Cricket Stadium from August 11 to 18.
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt will be among the prominent voices behind the microphone, joined by Ali Younis, Tariq Saeed, Aimen Anwar and Raja Asad. The panel will cover all seven matches of the domestic competition.
The Champions Cup will feature four sides — Pakistan Greens, Pakistan Whites, Pakistan Blues and Pakistan Gold — competing in a single round-robin league. Each team will face the other three once, with the two highest-ranked sides advancing to the final.
The tournament is expected to play an important part in the PCB’s plans for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027. Several experienced international players, along with promising domestic performers, will be involved as selectors continue to assess options for the global tournament.
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A total of 44 players have been divided among the four squads, while the PCB has also named a 13-player reserve pool. Reserve players can be called into action only if a member of the main squad suffers an injury or concussion during the competition.
With the 2027 World Cup scheduled to be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, the Champions Cup provides selectors with another opportunity to evaluate players in a competitive domestic environment.
Pakistan Greens
Shadab Khan will captain the Greens, with Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Farhan Yousuf, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saad Baig and Sameer Minhas completing the playing XI.
Pakistan Whites
Saim Ayub will lead the Whites. The squad also includes Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Mohsin Riaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Saad Masood, Shahzaib Khan and wicketkeeper Usman Khan.
Pakistan Blues
Sahibzada Farhan has been named captain of the Blues. Abdullah Shafique, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Jahandad Khan, wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir, Shamyl Hussain, Sufyan Moqim and Taimur Khan are also part of the XI.
Pakistan Gold
Shaheen Shah Afridi will captain Pakistan Gold, with Abdul Samad, Abdul Subhan, Faisal Akram, Haider Ali, Kamran Ghulam, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Nawaz, wicketkeeper Muhammad Akhlaq, Muhammad Imran and Saad Khan completing the side.
The competition will therefore serve not only as a battle for Champions Cup honours but also as an important platform for players hoping to strengthen their claims for future Pakistan selection.