A typical Fakhar Zaman century helped Shadab Khan-led Pakistan Greens beat Saim Ayub-captained Pakistan Whites in the opening match of the National Champions Cup at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Fakhar stroked a blistering 123 off 104 balls with 18 fours and two sixes as Pakistan Greens overhauled Pakistan Whites’ 276 for eight with five wickets and six balls to spare. Fakhar put on 90 runs for the first wicket with Sameer Minhas (24, 33b, 2 x 4) and 67 runs for the second wicket with Omair Bin Yousuf (8).

Fakhar was the third batter to be dismissed at the total of 181 in 29 overs, caught at the wicket by Usman Khan off fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani. Dahani was drafted into the Pakistan Whites side after the PCB overnight decided to change the four squads from 11-a-side to 14-a-side and finished with figures of 7-0-36-1.

Saad Baig was Greens’ fourth batter to be dismissed at the total of 218, falling to Mohammad Wasim Junior after scoring a 28-ball 22 with three fours. Farhan Yousaf (38, 44b, 4 x 4, 1 x 6) and Shadab Khan (34 not out, 45b, 3 x 4) then added 30 runs for the fifth wicket. Following Farhan’s dismissal – becoming Saad Masood’s second victim – Shadab and Faheem Ashraf (11 not out) scored the remaining 29 runs without being separated to seal the victory.

Earlier, half-centuries by opener Shahzaib Khan and middle-order batters Hasan Nawaz and Khushdil Shah helped Pakistan Whites post 276 for eight. Shahzaib struck seven fours in an 88-ball 76, Hasan scored 56 from 61 balls with one four and two sixes, and Khushdil’s 44-ball 51 was punctuated with two fours and three sixes.

After Saim Ayub (14) was unfortunate to be run-out while attempting a third run off a stylish-looking cover drive and Mohsin Riaz (1) made it 40 for two, Pakistan Whites were rescued by three decent partnerships.

Shahzaib put on 78 runs for the third wicket with Usman Khan (34, 52b, 2 x 4, 1 x 6) and 46 runs for the fourth wicket with Hasan Nawaz. After Shahzaib’s departure, Hasan Nawaz and Khushdil Shah added 77 runs for the fifth wicket.

After Hasan Nawaz fell at the total of 241 in the 44th over and Khushdil soon joined Hasan in the dressing room eight runs and eight balls later, Pakistan Whites managed to collect only 27 runs off the last 32 deliveries.

For Pakistan Greens, Naseem Shah was the pick of the bowlers with three for 46, while Faheem Ashraf took two wickets for 35 runs. Salman Mirza and Mehran Mumtaz grabbed one wicket apiece.

Scores in brief:

Match 1 – Pakistan Greens beat Pakistan Whites by five wickets.

Pakistan Whites 276-8, 50 overs (Shahzaib Khan 76, Hasan Nawaz 56, Khushdil Shah 51, Usman Khan 34, Saim Ayub 14; Naseem Shah 3-46, Faheem Ashraf 2-35, Salman Mirza 1-31, Mehran Mumtaz 1-61)

Pakistan Greens 277-5, 49 overs (Fakhar Zaman 123, Farhan Yousaf 38, Shadab Khan 34 not out, Sameer Minhas 24, Saad Baig 22; Saad Masood 2-30)

Player of the match – Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan Greens)

Wednesday’s fixture: Pakistan Gold vs Pakistan Blues, match starts at 3:00pm PKT