Pakistan ODI skipper highlights Champions Cup as key preparation for global tournament
Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has played down uncertainty surrounding his leadership ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, maintaining his attention on preparations for the major tournament.
Afridi is currently leading Pakistan Gold in the National Champions Cup 2026, which begins on August 11 and will continue until August 18. The domestic competition is being viewed as an important opportunity to identify players capable of strengthening Pakistan’s options ahead of the World Cup.
During a joint media conference involving the captains of the four participating teams, Afridi was questioned about whether he had received assurances that he would continue as Pakistan’s ODI captain through the 2027 World Cup.
The left-arm fast bowler indicated that he remains the captain for now, avoiding any speculation about potential leadership changes. Pakistan have experienced several captaincy changes across formats in recent years, making the issue a subject of continued discussion.
Afridi instead emphasized the importance of the Champions Cup in developing squad depth. He explained that major tournaments can be affected by injuries, making it essential for Pakistan to have reliable replacements already prepared for international cricket.
The tournament will also allow players to operate in their regular roles and demonstrate their ability to handle pressure. Afridi stressed that performances and fitness levels would both be monitored as Pakistan assesses its wider pool of players.
With the 2027 World Cup approaching, the Champions Cup could therefore serve as an important selection platform. Strong performances in the competition may improve the chances of players breaking into Pakistan’s ODI setup.
The tournament opens at Multan Cricket Stadium on August 11, with Pakistan Greens facing Pakistan Whites. Pakistan Blues, Pakistan Whites, Pakistan Gold and Pakistan Greens will compete in a single round-robin league, with each side meeting the others once.
The top two teams will advance to the final on August 18.
Pakistan Gold will be led by Afridi and also feature Abdul Samad, Abdul Subhan, Faisal Akram, Haider Ali, Kamran Ghulam, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Nawaz, Muhammad Akhlaq, Muhammad Imran and Saad Khan.
The Champions Cup schedule includes Pakistan Blues versus Pakistan Gold on August 12, Pakistan Blues versus Pakistan Whites on August 13, Pakistan Gold versus Pakistan Greens on August 14, Pakistan Blues versus Pakistan Greens on August 15 and Pakistan Gold versus Pakistan Whites on August 16.