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Pakistan Launches National Champions Cup in Multan to Test World Cup Options

The week-long four-team 50-over event is designed to let selectors and coach Mike Hesson assess role-specific depth ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Overview

  • The National Champions Cup began in Multan on Tuesday with a seven-match round-robin and final scheduled from August 11 to 18 and an opening Pakistan Greens v Pakistan Whites fixture played under a 3pm start.
  • Organisers named fixed 11-player XIs for each side and created a 13-player reserve pool that can be used only for injury or concussion to keep team roles steady for evaluation.
  • Pakistan’s white-ball management, including head coach Mike Hesson and national selectors, are observing the matches as a targeted selection exercise for World Cup 2027.
  • Matches are being broadcast on PTV Sports and streamed on Tapmad, Tamasha and PCB YouTube, local spectators have free access to designated enclosures, and the event carries a PKR 8.15 million prize pool.
  • Mohammad Nawaz is listed in Pakistan Gold’s squad despite prior reporting that the ICC had handed him a doping ban, a development that is noted in coverage but not resolved within these articles.