Multan, Pakistan: Amidst swirling rumours of a leadership change, Pakistan’s One-Day International (ODI) captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has firmly stated, “For now, I am the captain.” The left-arm pacer made these remarks during a press conference in Multan, ahead of the commencement of the National Champions Cup 2026, which began today, August 11, 2026. His comments come as the cricket fraternity speculates on Babar Azam potentially taking over the reins across all three formats.
Afridi, who took over the ODI captaincy on October 20, 2025, following a period where Mohammad Rizwan led the side after a disappointing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, currently holds a record of 7 wins from 11 ODIs. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was held from February 19 to March 9, 2025, with Pakistan being eliminated in the group stage. While Pakistan endured an ODI series loss to Bangladesh earlier this year, they rebounded with a victory against a second-string Australian team.
Focusing on Future Readiness: The National Champions Cup
Shaheen Afridi stressed the critical importance of the ongoing Al Batal Presents University of Lahore National Champions Cup 2026-27 in preparing the national side for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027. The tournament, a 50-over List-A competition, is designed to expand Pakistan’s player pool and identify talent capable of stepping up, particularly in the face of potential injuries.
“Whenever we go to a World Cup, we face a lot of injuries. In case there are any injuries before the World Cup, we will already have players available. The tournament pool will make it easier for us to find replacements,” Afridi explained. He added that the competition provides a platform for players to perform in their preferred roles, with team management closely monitoring both individual performances and overall fitness.
White-ball head coach Mike Hesson is also closely observing the tournament as part of the broader preparations for the 2027 World Cup.
Tournament Details: National Champions Cup 2026-27
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dates | August 11 – August 18, 2026 |
| Venue | Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan |
| Format | 50-over List-A, Single Round-Robin League followed by a Final |
| Teams | Pakistan Greens (Capt: Shadab Khan), Pakistan Whites (Capt: Saim Ayub), Pakistan Blues (Capt: Sahibzada Farhan), Pakistan Gold (Capt: Shaheen Shah Afridi) |
| Match Start | 3:00 PM PKT (3:30 PM IST) |
| Broadcast/Stream | Pakistan: PTV Sports (TV), Tapmad, Tamasha (Streaming). Outside Pakistan: PCB YouTube channel. |
Babar Azam Rumours Continue
The backdrop to Afridi’s definitive statement is the persistent talk of Babar Azam regaining the all-format captaincy. Babar, who recently replaced Shan Masood as Test captain on July 5, 2026, reportedly accepted the red-ball leadership with an understanding that he could eventually lead Pakistan across all formats. His performance in Pakistan’s ongoing Test commitments, including a recently drawn 1-1 series against West Indies and an upcoming three-Test tour of England from August 19 to September 13, 2026, is being closely monitored by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for a potential broader leadership role.
As the National Champions Cup 2026 kicks off, all eyes will be on the performances, both individual and collective, that could shape Pakistan’s squad and leadership structure for the crucial years leading up to the 2027 World Cup.