Babar Azam and Naseem Shah Join Lahore Whites for National T20 Cup 2026Star Players Added to Strengthen Lahore Whites Squad
Pakistan’s premier domestic cricket tournament is set to gain additional excitement as star cricketers Babar Azam and Naseem Shah have been officially added to the Lahore Whites squad for the upcoming National T20 Cup 2026. The tournament is scheduled to take place from March 7 to March 18 at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar, featuring top regional teams from across the country competing for the national title.
The inclusion of these two prominent players is expected to significantly strengthen the Lahore Whites lineup and enhance the overall competitiveness of the tournament.
Lahore Whites Squad and Leadership
The Lahore Whites team will be led by Aamir Jamal, who will captain the side in the competition. Alongside Babar Azam and Naseem Shah, the squad has also been reinforced with players such as Ahmed Daniyal and Mohammad Salman, providing additional depth and balance to the team.
The updated Lahore Whites squad includes:
Aamir Jamal (captain), Ali Raza, Ali Shahid Butt, Farhan Yousuf (U21), Babar Azam, Imran Dogar, Junaid Ali (wicketkeeper), Kamran Afzal, Mohammad Faiq, Ahmed Daniyal, Mohammad Salman, Muhammad Akhlaq, Mohammad Mohsin, Mohammad Rameez Jr, Muhammad Saleem, Naseem Shah, Samama Riaz, Tayyab Tahir and Ubaid Shah.
The presence of experienced international players alongside emerging domestic talent is expected to create a balanced and competitive unit for the Lahore-based side.
Tournament Format and Participating Teams
The National T20 Cup is one of Pakistan’s most important domestic cricket competitions and has played a significant role in developing local talent since its launch in 2004–05 under the administration of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
For the 2026 edition, 10 regional teams will participate in the tournament. These teams include:
Abbottabad
Bahawalpur
Faisalabad
Peshawar
Karachi Whites
Karachi Blues
Lahore Blues
Lahore Whites
Multan
Sialkot
The teams are divided into two groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals. Matches will be played daily, with two games scheduled each day during the group stage.
Lahore Whites’ Opening Matches
Lahore Whites will begin their campaign against Peshawar on the opening day of the tournament. Their second group-stage match is scheduled against Faisalabad on March 9.
The group stage will run from March 7 to March 16, followed by the knockout rounds and the final match scheduled later in the tournament, with matches typically starting at 4:15 PM PKT and 9:15 PM PKT.
Boost for Domestic Cricket
The participation of internationally recognized players such as Babar Azam and Naseem Shah is expected to draw significant attention to the tournament. Their presence not only raises the competitive level of the National T20 Cup but also provides younger players with an opportunity to learn and perform alongside some of Pakistan’s top cricketing talents.
As domestic cricket continues to serve as the foundation of Pakistan’s cricketing structure, the National T20 Cup 2026 promises to deliver high-quality matches, emerging talent, and exciting performances for cricket fans across the country.
