Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 18: The first inter district cricket championship held in Lolab, found its champions in Lolab only, as Shaheen Sports Lalpora won the finals of the 1st edition of the Indian Army’s Kilo North Kashmir Premier League (KNKPL) against NCC Narbal XI.
In a pulsating final held in front of an ecstatic crowd, Shaheen Sports Lalpora won the toss and decided to bat first. Despite losing early wickets, the Lolabians found a way via a fiery 71 off 46 balls by Sheikh Junaid and a 46 & 29 (13) Raja Tanveer and Shahid Mir respectively to help Shaheens put up the first 200 in front of a euphoric home crowd.
Needing 202 runs in their 20 overs, Narbal lost Waseem Kachur early before Saqib Pandiya and Abid Nabi steadied the ship before losing Pandiya. Narbals captain, Mehraj Amin played a hero’s innings of 64 of just 27 balls, ably supported by Aabid Nabi’s 50. However, Mir Tahir’s spell of 4 overs for just 15 runs dealt a heavy blow to Narbal’s quest. They finished 8 runs short to hand Shaheen Sports Lalpora a famous victory.
Raja Tanveer was awarded the Orange Cap for being the tournament’s highest run getter with 206 runs. Shehzad Lone, also from Shaheens was awarded the Purple Cap for taking 11 wickets. They recieved Rs 5000 each from Owais Farooq Mir, DFO Kamraj Forest Division and Zubair Gulbdin from GD Sports, Srinagar.
For his stupendous performances throughout the tournament, Sheikh Junaid walked away with Rs 40,000 in prize for the Player of the Series and Man of the Match. He recieved his award from Ghulam Jeelani Wani, SSP Kupwara and Naira Rashid.
General Officer Commanding CIF (K) and DC Kupwara, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse presented both teams with medals and cash prizes worth Rs 75,000 for runners-up and Rs 1,50,000 for the winners.
The tournament saw participation of 98 teams from North Kashmir.
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