Zaid Hassan, a seasoned sports journalist, led Cricket Pakistan as editor for four years, shaping its coverage with insightful analysis. Now a producer at Nukta, he expands into broader storytelling while remaining a key voice in Pakistan’s sports media.
Fakhar Zaman celebrates after scoring a century for PCB Greens against PCB Whites on Tuesday in Multan.
Tapmad
Fakhar Zaman produced a commanding century as PCB Greens chased down 277 against PCB Whites to win the opening match of the National Champions Cup 2026-27 by five wickets at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
How did Fakhar Zaman steal the show in Multan?
The left-handed opener smashed his 20th List-A century in just 76 balls, underlining his ability to dominate limited-overs bowling. Fakhar eventually departed for a spectacular 123 off 104 deliveries, with his innings featuring 18 fours and two sixes.
The century also moved Fakhar into an elite group of Pakistani batters. He became only the sixth Pakistan batter to register at least 20 List-A hundreds, joining Babar Azam (31), Khurram Manzoor (27), Saeed Anwar (26), Salman Butt (24) and Kamran Akmal (21).
It was Fakhar's second-fastest List-A hundred, behind his 63-ball century against New Zealand during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.
How did Greens build their successful chase?
PCB Greens made a flying start, with Fakhar and Sameer Minhas putting together 90 runs for the opening wicket in 14 overs. Khushdil Shah eventually broke the partnership by bowling Sameer for 24 off 33 balls.
Fakhar reached his fifty from 39 deliveries and continued attacking as Greens remained firmly ahead of the required rate. He then combined with Omair bin Yousuf for 67 runs from 56 balls before Omair was dismissed for eight.
Fakhar brought up his century in the 21st over, striking Ali Raza for a four and a double. His aggressive innings finally ended in the 29th over when Shahnawaz Dahani dismissed him for 123.
Saad Baig contributed 22, while debutant Farhan Yousuf scored a brisk 38 off 44 balls. Farhan announced himself in memorable fashion by smashing Dahani for three consecutive fours in the 33rd over.
Captain Shadab Khan remained unbeaten on 34, while Faheem Ashraf finished on 11 not out as Greens reached their target in 49 overs.
Who gave PCB Whites a competitive total?
Earlier, PCB Whites posted 276 for eight after being asked to bat first. Shahzaib Khan led the scoring with 76 off 88 balls, while Hasan Nawaz and Khushdil Shah added important half-centuries.
Whites suffered early setbacks after captain Saim Ayub was run out for 14 and Mohsin Riaz fell for one. Shahzaib and Usman Khan steadied the innings with a 78-run third-wicket partnership, with Usman contributing 34.
After Shahzaib was bowled by Naseem Shah, Hasan and Khushdil added 77 from 80 balls to put Whites on course for a total approaching 300.
However, Greens' bowlers struck back at the death. Hasan fell for 56 and Khushdil was dismissed for 51, while Whites lost four wickets for just 35 runs in the final 40 balls.
Which bowlers impressed for Greens?
Naseem Shah was the leading wicket-taker with three for 46 from nine overs, while Faheem Ashraf claimed two for 35. Saad Masood also impressed with two for 30 in seven overs.
Fakhar's match-winning performance earned him the Player of the Match award and gave PCB Greens an ideal start to their National Champions Cup campaign.
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