LAHORE: Champions Cup preparations for Pakistan’s 2027 ODI World Cup campaign gathered pace on Monday after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced four squads for the National Champions Cup, scheduled to take place in Multan from August 11 to 18.

The eight-day List A tournament will launch Pakistan’s 2026-27 domestic season. According to the PCB, selectors picked the squads with next year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in mind. In addition, the board confirmed plans to organize another one-day tournament for departmental teams later in the season.

Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq will coach Pakistan Gold, while ODI skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi will captain the side. Meanwhile, Misbah continues to serve on the national selection committee that finalized all four squads.

More than 100 words into the announcement, Champions Cup emerged as the PCB’s latest initiative to strengthen Pakistan’s ODI pool before the World Cup. The tournament features Pakistan Greens, Pakistan Whites, Pakistan Blues, and Pakistan Gold. Every match will take place under lights at Multan Cricket Stadium.

Shadab Khan will captain Pakistan Greens, Saim Ayub will lead Pakistan Whites, Sahibzada Farhan will head Pakistan Blues, and Shaheen Afridi will lead Pakistan Gold.

Japan’s Mosque Debate Reflects Growing Questions Over Immigration and National Identity

The competition follows a single round-robin format. Afterward, the top two teams will qualify for the final on August 18.

The PCB has also introduced a new squad policy. Each side will use a fixed playing XI throughout the tournament. However, teams may replace players only in cases of injury or concussion. Any replacement must come from a reserve pool of 13 players, who will train and travel with their respective squads.

The board selected 44 players for the main squads. Additionally, it created a reserve pool to widen the selection base for Pakistan’s ODI team. The move forms part of the PCB’s long-term planning for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

For Pakistan Greens, Shadab Khan will lead a squad that includes Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Hasnain, and wicketkeeper Saad Baig.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Whites will feature Saim Ayub, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Khushdil Shah, Hasan Nawaz, and wicketkeeper Usman Khan.

Pakistan Blues, on the other hand, will rely on Sahibzada Farhan, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Arafat Minhas, Tayyab Tahir, and Rohail Nazir.

Finally, Pakistan Gold will field Shaheen Afridi alongside Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Nawaz, Haider Ali, Maaz Sadaqat, and wicketkeeper Muhammad Akhlaq under the coaching of Misbah-ul-Haq.

The reserve pool features Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Faiq, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Mubasir Khan, Danish Aziz, Arshad Iqbal, Mohammad Salman, Razaullah, Saqib Khan, Mohammad Amir Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani, and wicketkeeper Haseebullah.

The tournament begins on August 11 with Pakistan Greens taking on Pakistan Whites. A day later, Pakistan Blues will face Pakistan Gold. Meanwhile, league matches will continue until August 16, before the top two teams compete in the final on August 18.