Pakistan White-Ball Stars Face World Cup Trials in Multan
Multan Tournament Serves as Selection Ground for 2026 World Cup Squad
MULTAN WORLD CUP TRIALS
Illustration concept: A high-angle realistic shot of Multan Cricket Stadium under bright stadium lights, featuring cricket players in colored uniforms on a green pitch during a white-ball match, editorial style sports photography.
AI summary
A seven-match domestic tournament featuring four squads begins on Tuesday in Multan to evaluate potential candidates for Pakistan's next 50-over World Cup squad. Head coach Mike Hesson and national selectors will closely monitor players led by captains including Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan.
Why this matters
With the 50-over World Cup approaching in Southern Africa, this tournament provides fringe candidates and established international players a structured environment to impress decision-makers. Performances during the week-long event are expected to directly influence team selection and establish the national white-ball depth chart.
Key takeaways
- The National Champions Cup features four teams competing in seven matches at Multan Cricket Stadium.
- Head coach Mike Hesson briefed team coaches to align domestic performances with national squad needs.
- Captains include Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Saim Ayub, and Sahibzada Farhan.
- The tournament finishes with the final on August 18 ahead of next year's World Cup in Africa.
National white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and Pakistan's selection committee are turning their attention to Multan as a crucial domestic showcase begins on Tuesday. The seven-match National Champions Cup at the Multan Cricket Stadium serves as a key talent evaluation exercise ahead of next year's 50-over World Cup, set to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
According to reports from Dawn Sport, the competition divides the country's broader limited-overs player pool into four distinct line-ups: Pakistan Greens, Pakistan Gold, Pakistan Whites, and Pakistan Blues. Each squad comprises an 11-player main roster alongside three designated reserves, offering 56 cricketers an immediate platform to push for national selection.
On Sunday, Hesson convened a strategic briefing with the coaching staff of all four competing sides to align tactical expectations and performance criteria. The tournament's primary objective is to clarify the selection hierarchy and identify viable options across key positions before international schedules intensify.
Fixtures launch on Tuesday with Shadab Khan leading Pakistan Greens against a Saim Ayub-captained Pakistan Whites team. Action continues Wednesday when ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi leads Pakistan Gold into their opening fixture against Pakistan Blues, who are captained by Sahibzada Farhan.
The event will culminate with a final scheduled for August 18, giving selectors a condensed, high-intensity window to measure form and fitness under match conditions in Multan.
Frequently asked questions
- When and where is the National Champions Cup taking place?
- The tournament takes place at the Multan Cricket Stadium starting Tuesday, with the final scheduled for August 18.
- Which teams and captains are involved in the event?
- Four teams are competing: Pakistan Greens (led by Shadab Khan), Pakistan Whites (captained by Saim Ayub), Pakistan Gold (led by Shaheen Shah Afridi), and Pakistan Blues (headed by Sahibzada Farhan).
- What is the primary purpose of this domestic tournament?
- It serves as a key scouting ground for coach Mike Hesson and national selectors to build Pakistan's squad for next year's 50-over World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Source & transparency
- By:
- The Reviser Desk
- Source:
- Dawn Sport
- Original publication:
- Aug 11, 2026, 5:00 AM
- The Reviser publication:
- Aug 11, 2026, 5:00 AM
- Updated:
- Aug 13, 2026, 11:20 PM
This report was independently written by The Reviser editorial desk from verified source material. It is not original on-the-ground reporting by The Reviser.
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