Multan (Sadia Yousaf): Rivaj Pakistan Greens continued their unbeaten run in the Al Batal Presents University of Lahore National Champions Cup 2026-27 with an emphatic 192-run win over Al Batal Pakistan Blues here at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Right-handed batter Mohammad Suleman (101 not out, 103b, 8x4s, 1x6) struck his second List A century, while half-centuries from Saad Baig and Farhan Yousuf propelled Greens to 302-6 in 50 overs – their second consecutive of 300 or more.
In turn, Blues crumbled after Faheem Ashraf took three wickets in sixth, eighth and 10th over, while Mohammad Hasnain delivered two wickets in the 14th over to almost seal the game. Blues were bundled out for 110 in 23.5 overs, falling 192 runs short.
On Sunday, second-placed Pakistan Whites will take on fourth-placed Pakistan Gold and will need a win to secure their berth in the final or lose by a margin which doesn’t bring down their net run rate of -0.002 below that of Blues’ -1.093.
Earlier, Greens won the toss and opted to bat first with Suleman coming in for Fakhar Zaman and Arshad Iqbal replacing Naseem Shah, who were both rested after their team had ensured the final berth. Green’s opening duo of Omair Bin Yousuf (33, 57b, 5x4s) and Sameer Minhas (17, 20b, 3x4s) added 39 runs 58 balls before Arafat struck to remove his brother.
Suleman batted fluently and laid the foundation for the big total by stitching a strong 135-run stand for the third wicket with Saad Baig (77, 73b, 5x4s, 3x6s), who scored his fourth fifty in the format. Another brisk 90-run stand with Farhan Yousuf (51, 41b, 4x4s, 2x6s) took Greens from 200-3 in 35.1 overs to 290 in 48.1 overs.
For Blues, Hasan Ali picked up two wickets, while Mohammad Faiq, Arafat Minhas, Ahmed Daniyal and Sufyan Moqim dismissed one batter each.
In pursuit of the target, Blues lost Maaz Sadaqat in the second over as he was run out by Arshad Iqbal. Faheem began the decimation with the wicket of Sahibzada Farhan (19, 22b, 4x4s) and then eked out Mohammad Faiq (18, 19b, 3x4s), who both had got off to decent starts.
Faheem returned to also remove Muhammad Irfan Khan for two, while Shadab got rid of Tayyab Tahir for 14 to leave the Blues struggling at 58-5 in 12.4 overs. That they were able to cross the three-digit mark was due to the resistance put up by Arafat Minhas (38, 40, 3x4s, 2x6s) as he partnered with Hasan Ali for a 30-run stand.
Hasnain accounted for Taimur Khan and Ahmed Daniyal, while Mohammad Salman Mirza also picked up two wickets. Shadab and Mehran had one each to their name as Blues folded for 110 in 23.5 overs.
Scores in brief
Pakistan Greens 302-6, 50 overs (Mohammad Suleman 101 not out, Saad Baig 77, Farhan Yousaf 51, Omair Bin Yousuf 33; Hasan Ali 2-37)
Pakistan Blues 110 all out, 23.5 overs (Arafat Minhas 38; Faheem Ashraf 3-14, Mohammad Salman Mirza 2-23, Mohammad Hasnain 2-24)
