MULTAN: Shaheen Afridi starred with a three-wicket haul as Pakistan Gold booked a place in the final of the National Champions Cup 2026 after a five-wicket win over Pakistan Whites at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Set 173, Gold hit the winning runs in the 28th over, losing five wickets in the process. Haider Ali top-scored with a 69 off 48 balls, striking three sixes and seven fours.
Before heading into the fixture, Gold suffered two defeats and were languishing at the bottom, but a superior run rate helped them leapfrog Whites and Blues on points table.
At one stage, Gold were reduced to 61-3 at the end of 10 overs. However, Haider held the innings together, stitching a crucial partnership with Kamran Ghulam, who made 30 off 26 with the aid of four boundaries.
Saad Khan also chipped with the bat, hitting three fours in his gritty 33 off 55 balls.
For Pakistan Whites, Mohammad Wasim claimed two wickets.
Earlier, Pakistan Whites were skittled for 172 in 41.4 overs after opting to bat first.
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Pakistan Gold bowlers piled on a miserable start right from the onset, reducing Whites to 26-2 in the first 10 overs. Shahzaib Khan was caught after scoring two, while Haseebullah Khan could only add three to the total.
The slide continued as Usman Khan (3) and Saim Ayub (30) were also dismissed in quick succession. As a result, Whites were limited to 45-4 in 14.5 overs.
After a flurry of wickets, Hasan Nawaz held the innings together with a brief stand, taking the total beyond the 100-run mark.
He forged a couple of stands in the middle order and helped his side reach the 150-run mark. The right-hander was eventually dismissed in the 36th over after scoring 55 off 74, striking two sixes and three fours.
For Pakistan Gold, Shaheen Afridi took three wickets, whereas Faisal Akram claimed two wickets.
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