MULTAN: Fakhar Zaman struck a brisk century to set up PCB Greens’ five-wicket victory over PCB Whites in the opening match of the National Champions Cup at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Chasing 277, Greens reached their target with six balls to spare, finishing on 277 for five in 49 overs, with Fakhar’s 123 off 104 balls providing the foundation for a comfortable chase.

Fakhar reached his 20th List-A century off 76 balls, hitting 18 fours and two sixes. He became only the sixth Pakistan batter to score at least 20 List-A hundreds, joining Babar Azam, Khurram Manzoor, Saeed Anwar, Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal.

It was also Fakhar’s second-fastest century in List-A cricket, behind his 63-ball hundred against New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup.

Fakhar and Sameer Minhas gave Greens an ideal start, putting on 90 in 14 overs before Khushdil Shah bowled Sameer for 24 off 33 balls.

Fakhar reached his half-century from 39 balls and continued to dominate the bowling. He added 67 with Omair bin Yousuf, who made eight, before bringing up his century in the 21st over with a four and a double off Ali Raza.

Shahnawaz Dahani eventually ended Fakhar’s innings in the 29th over, but by then the opener had put Greens firmly in control.

Debutant Farhan Yousuf scored 38 off 44 balls, including four fours and a six, while Shadab Khan remained unbeaten on 34 off 45 balls to guide Greens over the line. Farhan marked his List-A debut with three successive fours off Dahani in the 33rd over.

Earlier, Whites posted 276 for eight after being asked to bat, with half-centuries from Shahzaib Khan, Hasan Nawaz and Khushdil.

Shahzaib top-scored with 76 off 88 balls and shared a 78-run third-wicket stand with Usman Khan, who made 34.

Whites were reduced to 31 for two after losing captain Saim Ayub, run out for 14, and Mohsin Riaz, who was caught and bowled by Mohammad Salman Mirza for one.

Usman’s dismissal in the 24th over brought Shahzaib and Hasan together, but Naseem Shah bowled Shahzaib from round the wicket to end a 44-run fourth-wicket partnership.

Hasan and Khushdil then added 77 from 80 balls to put Whites on course for a sizeable total. Whites reached 200 in the 40th over and appeared set to challenge the 300-run mark.

Greens’ bowlers, however, struck back in the closing overs. Faheem Ashraf removed Hasan for 56 off 61 balls, while Naseem dismissed Khushdil for 51 off 44 and then Saad Masood in the 47th over.

Whites lost four wickets for 35 runs in the final 40 balls.

Naseem finished with three for 46 from nine overs, while Faheem took two for 35 from seven. Saad Masood was Greens’ most economical bowler, taking two for 30 in seven overs.

Scores in brief:

PCB WHITES 276-8 in 50 overs (Shahzaib Khan 76, Hasan Nawaz 56, Khushdil Shah 51, Usman Khan 34; Naseem Shah 3-46, Faheem Ashraf 2-35); PCB GREENS 277-5 in 49 overs (Fakhar Zaman 123, Farhan Yousuf 38, Shadab Khan 34 not out, Sameer Minhas 24, Saad Baig 22; Saad Masood 2-30).

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2026