By Nawaz Gohar ; South Korea ignited their World Cup Group A campaign in thrilling fashion on Thursday, roaring back from a goal down to secure a gritty 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic.

Second-half strikes from midfield maestro Hwang In-beom and super-sub Oh Hyeon-gyu capped off a breathless encounter, sending the Taegeuk Warriors level with co-hosts Mexico at the summit of the group standings.

While the official attendance of 44,985 raised a few eyebrows due to noticeable patches of empty seats, those in the stadium made up for it with deafening noise. The local Mexican crowd firmly adopted the Koreans as their own—a lingering debt of gratitude from 2018, when South Korea’s legendary upset of Germany miraculously sent Mexico to the knockout rounds.

Yet, for over an hour, it looked like the Czech Republic’s brutal physicality would spoil the party.

The match was a fascinating study in contrasting philosophies: South Korea’s slick, geometric passing versus the direct, thumping pragmatism of the Czechs. A cagey, goalless first half belonged entirely to missed opportunities—most notably from South Korea’s talismanic captain, Son Heung-min. Usually lethal, Son endured a frustratingly rare off-day, squandering five clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes alone. The Tottenham icon remains agonizingly stalled at 56 international goals, just two shy of breaking his country’s all-time scoring record.

The game finally exploded into life in the 59th minute. The Czechs leveraged their aerial supremacy when West Ham’s Vladimír Coufal launched a trademark long throw into the box. Ladislav Krejci rose highest, meeting it with a thumping header that left the Korean keeper stranded.

Faced with adversity, South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo’s pre-match gospel echoed through his squad. “Before the match, I gave the players two messages: do not give up until the end, and unite as one,” Hong later revealed.

The response was instantaneous. Just eight minutes after falling behind, Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in unlocked the Czech defense with a razor-sharp through ball. Hwang In-beom collected it, elegantly cut inside his marker, and whipped a low, curling right-footed effort into the far bottom corner.

With momentum fully on their side, Hong made the tactical gamble of the match, hauling off a misfiring Son for Oh Hyeon-gyu. It proved to be a masterstroke. In the 74th minute, the equalizer turned provider; Hwang turned a defender on the right wing and fired a fizzing, low cross into the six-yard box. Oh anticipated it perfectly, sweeping it home to send the traveling Korean fans into absolute euphoria.

The Czechs thought they had snatched a dramatic equalizer late on when Tomáš Souček powered home a header from a set-piece, but the linesman’s flag immediately cut the celebrations short for offside. It was a heartbreaking end for the Czechs, marking a bitter return to the world stage after a 20-year absence.

“We made some critical mistakes,” admitted a somber Czech coach Miroslav Koubek. “Looking back, we absolutely could have prevented those goals. We created opportunities, but their transition speed was just too fast.”

South Korea now marches into a high-stakes showdown against Mexico on June 18, a match that will likely decide who tops Group A. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic will travel to Atlanta to face a wounded South Africa, with both teams desperate to keep their World Cup dreams alive.

By Nawaz Gohar ; The 2026 World Cup is officially underway, and it has already delivered an unforgettable cocktail of high-octane celebration and pure, unadulterated chaos.

In a tempestuous opening clash at a rocking Estadio Azteca, co-hosts Mexico swept past South Africa 2-0, surviving a wildly fractured encounter where the colorful pyrotechnic smoke of the opening ceremony quickly gave way to a blinding cloud of red mist.

This monumental fixture kicked off the largest tournament in football history—the first-ever 48-team edition spread across three nations. It was entirely fitting that the iconic Azteca, the first stadium to host three separate World Cup opening matches, provided the backdrop.

Yet, while the stadium breathes the romantic history of Pelé’s 1970 wizardry and Maradona’s 1986 “Hand of God,” Thursday’s spectacle will likely be remembered for a much more modern brand of drama: a furious flurry of three red cards.

The electric, green-clad crowd of supporters—some of whom had arrived a staggering seven hours before kickoff to bypass protests paralyzing Mexico City—were treated to a dream start. Following a dazzling opening ceremony featuring global icons Shakira and Burna Boy, El Tri immediately went to work.

The match was barely minutes old when Raúl Jiménez stung the fingertips of South Africa keeper Ronwen Williams with a ferocious volley.

The breakthrough arrived moments later. Midfielder Érick Lira—shockingly selected in the starting lineup over team captain Edson Álvarez—justified his manager’s gamble by robbing Sphephelo Sithole on the edge of the box. Lira quickly fed Julián Quiñones, who danced inward before drilling a clinical, low finish under Williams to ignite absolute bedlam in the stands.

For all the early dominance, the match took a distinctly ugly turn after the interval.

South Africa’s afternoon began to unravel completely in the 54th minute. Brian Gutiérrez launched a marauding run toward the penalty area, only to be brought down from behind by a clumsy, desperate tackle from Sithole. Already responsible for losing the ball on the opening goal, the midfielder’s miserable day ended with a straight red card.

As the minutes ticked away, the home crowd grew visibly anxious as Mexico struggled to ruthlessly convert their numerical superiority into goals. The relief finally came courtesy of the veteran, Jiménez. Meeting a devilish cross from Roberto Alvarado, the forward powered a trademark downward header into the back of the net to kill off any lingering tension.

With the points secure, the final whistle was instead foreshadowed by complete disciplinary collapse. South Africa’s Themba Zwane was sent off following a meticulous VAR review for an arm to the face. Minutes later, Mexico’s own César Montes saw red for a cynical, last-man challenge that denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Despite breaking a historic curse—marking Mexico’s very first victory in a World Cup opening match after seven previous failures—the fractured performance failed to satisfy their demanding manager.

“This was a 4-0 match,” a visibly stern Javier Aguirre told reporters post-game. “We did not play well enough, even if the fans are happy. Look, it’s the start of the World Cup; we have put the opening-day nerves behind us and we have three points. But we are already fixing our eyes on what is next.”

What is next is a mouth-watering, high-stakes collision. Mexico travels to Guadalajara on June 18 to face an equally confident South Korea team coming off their own comeback victory. On the same day, a depleted, suspended South Africa will face the Czech Republic in Atlanta, with both teams already fighting for survival in a ruthless Group A.

By Nawaz Gohar ; The meticulously curated, “feel-good” marketing of the 2026 World Cup collided violently with grim geopolitical reality on Thursday. Speaking exclusively from the team’s forced sanctuary outside the Marriott Hotel in Tijuana, Iranian team supervisor Mahdi Mohammad Nabi launched a scathing attack on FIFA President Gianni Infantino, accusing the governing body of failing to honor explicit promises regarding full tournament access.

The controversy unfolds against an unprecedented and highly combustible backdrop. This is the first World Cup since its inception in 1930 where a host nation is actively set to receive a country with which it is technically at war. Though a fragile April ceasefire paused direct military strikes between Washington and Tehran, the bitter enmity has spilled directly onto the pitch.

Nabi—a seasoned tournament diplomat who managed squad operations at both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups—is the highest-profile casualty of a sweeping diplomatic blockade. He is one of 15 Iranian soccer federation members systematically denied entry visas by the United States.

The lockout stands in stark, unflattering contrast to a freewheeling press conference delivered by Infantino just a day prior in Mexico City. The FIFA chief had triumphantly pointed to Iran’s participation as proof that football could seamlessly rise above global conflict.

“We hope Mr. Infantino will indeed implement the words and promises he made to the Iranian national team,” Nabi told Reuters, his tone measured but laced with profound frustration. “FIFA regulations and protocols must be properly followed by both member federations and hosts. I have never before experienced such a total lack of coordination.”

When pressed on a scathing U.S. State Department justification—which explicitly alleged that Washington would not allow Tehran to “abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the U.S. under false pretenses”—Nabi fiercely pivoted back to the game. “We are here to talk about sports; we did not come to engage in any political activities.”

The logistical fallout has completely disrupted Iran’s tournament preparation. Barred from their planned training facilities in Arizona, the squad was forced into a last-minute scramble to set up camp in Tijuana, just south of the Mexican border. While the players themselves were finally granted U.S. visas a mere 10 days before their Monday opener against New Zealand outside Los Angeles, the damage to their preparation was already done.

The strict American border policy has cast a long, polarizing shadow over this historic 48-team tournament. Beyond the Iranian federation, Washington has denied entry to numerous African journalists, implemented aggressive financial bond measures for nations flagged for visa overstays, and enforced strict travel bans against four qualified nations. Earlier this week, Somalian FIFA referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was abruptly turned away at the border despite holding a valid visa, with U.S. officials citing alleged ties to extremist organizations.

When confronted with these escalating operational failures, Infantino offered a remarkably detached defense, claiming FIFA cannot override sovereign immigration laws. “We don’t control everything,” Infantino remarked dismissively. “Maybe it’s good to just chill, relax.”

But “chilling” is a luxury the Iranian players cannot afford. Midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi opened up about the emotional and psychological toll the surrounding chaos has taken on a squad entirely isolated from their loved ones.

“We need all of our staff, and especially our main guys who can guide us through this tournament,” Ezatolahi admitted, noting that the team has accepted that their families cannot cross the border to support them. Yet, despite the psychological weight of a distant war and a disrupted camp, the midfielder insisted their focus remains unbroken.

“We are taking this opportunity and we have to step up,” Ezatolahi said softly. “We have to fight for what we call love. And for us, that love is football.”

By Nawaz Gohar ; The global soccer spotlight shifted definitively to the United States on Friday, as the sports world prepares to witness whether the sheer, unadulterated spectacle of a modern American World Cup can overpower months of bitter controversy surrounding sky-high ticket pricing and a hardline border regime.

With co-hosts Mexico setting the tournament alight on Thursday and Toronto welcoming Canada’s grand entrance on Friday afternoon, the stage is now set for Los Angeles. An opulent opening ceremony at the ultra-futuristic SoFi Stadium—headlined by pop icon Katy Perry—will serve as the ultimate curtain-raiser before the U.S. Men’s National Team officially launches its campaign against a dangerous Paraguay side.

Yet, as the party arrives on American soil for the first time since 1994, organizers face a unique cultural puzzle. Football remains a nascent giant here. Recent polling indicates only about a third of Americans plan to tune into the tournament—a stark contrast to the absolute obsession gripping Europe and Latin America.

In fact, much of the domestic sporting oxygen has been completely consumed by the mesmerizing run of the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, with the franchise sitting just one historic victory away from snapping a painful five-decade championship drought. Despite the basketball mania, the sheer gravitational pull of the world’s game is starting to break through.

In Midtown Manhattan, a brilliant clash of colors painted the avenues on Friday. Knicks fans in classic navy basketball jerseys mingled effortlessly with drum-beating Brazilian supporters in vibrant yellow and triumphant Mexican followers celebrating their opening-day victory.

But beneath the surface-level joy, a heavy administrative and political shadow looms over the tournament’s rollout. Under the current Trump administration, tight border policies have created unprecedented friction for international travelers.

Months of widespread news reports detailing strict visa restrictions have left many foreign fans hesitant to travel. The tension reached a boiling point earlier this week when a prominent Somalian FIFA referee was flatly denied entry into the country.

Furthermore, grassroots fans are feeling the crushing weight of hyper-commercialization. Ticket prices and cross-country travel accommodation have skyrocketed to prohibitive levels, leaving many lifelong supporters feeling entirely priced out of the experience.

The tournament’s most volatile narrative, however, remains geopolitical. Following the severe military escalations involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran back in February, a delicate diplomatic compromise forced the Iranian national team to establish its training sanctuary in Tijuana, Mexico. The squad will essentially act as commuters, crossing the heavily fortified U.S. border solely to play their matches.

A massive logistical and cultural showdown is already brewing on the horizon for June 26 in Seattle. Iran is scheduled to clash with Egypt in a match that local organizers have loudly designated as an official LGBT Pride celebration—a progressive framing that the football associations of both Middle Eastern nations have already vociferously and publicly opposed.

Add to this the looming threat of a grueling North American summer heatwave, and the 2026 World Cup promises to test the limits of all involved.

For the traveling fans already on the ground, the experience is nothing short of surreal. Outside the sun-drenched SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Paraguayan supporter Benjamín Fretes laughed as he recounted his interactions with the locals.

“It’s been a little strange, honestly,” Fretes admitted with a chuckle, noting that several Americans he encountered seemed entirely unaware that the World Cup—or his home country of Paraguay—even existed. But as the stadium gates began to open, his optimism remained unshaken. “The energy here is massive. It’s a beautiful stadium, a great experience, and we are ready for the whistle.”

By Nawaz Gohar ; Muhammad Asim, IT Officer of the WAPDA Sports Board, met with the Honorary Consul General of Japan, Syed Nadeem Alam Shah.

During the meeting, discussions centered around the upcoming Asian Games 2026, scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. The Honorary Consul General of Japan, Syed Nadeem Alam Shah, stated that Japan is fully committed to hosting a world-class event.

To achieve this, Japan is rapidly advancing its preparations for the Asian Games in close coordination with all relevant stakeholders. He highlighted that Japan’s sports system is recognized among the best in the world, offering a unique blend of modern infrastructure, discipline, and traditional values.

Furthermore, he noted that Japan boasts top-tier, state-of-the-art stadiums and has a proven track record of successfully hosting major global events, including the 1964 and 2020 Olympic Games as well as the Rugby World Cup, which speak volumes of its world-class capabilities.

The Honorary Consul General also emphasized that Japanese fans possess a deep passion for sports. The exemplary discipline of the spectators during matches, the immaculate cleanliness maintained in the stadiums, and their encouraging attitude toward athletes further elevate the standards of the event.

Ultimately, the sports culture in Japan is not merely limited to victory or performance; rather, it serves as an effective vehicle for character building and promoting social discipline.

Islamabad: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has declared the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to annul the elections of the Islamabad Cricket Association (ICA) as illegal.

The court ruled that no electoral process can be set aside merely on the basis of allegations, nor can the rights of elected officials be compromised without providing them a fair hearing.

Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal Waince of the LHC accepted the constitutional petition filed by the petitioner, Shakeel Ahmed Sheikh, and issued a detailed 32-page written judgment.

The court set aside the decision rendered by the PCB Adjudicator on May 27, 2025, and ordered the immediate reinstatement of Shakeel Ahmed Sheikh as the President of the Islamabad Cricket Association.

The court observed in its judgment that the PCB Adjudicator failed to fulfill essential legal requirements and principles of natural justice, as the stances and evidence of the concerned parties were not fully heard.

The Adjudicator announced the decision regarding the electoral dispute without addressing key legal objections or properly recording evidence, which directly violates the principles of equity and justice.

The judgment further emphasized that involving the affected parties was mandatory before voiding any election, a requirement completely bypassed in this instance.

According to the case details, Shakeel Ahmed Sheikh was elected unopposed as the ICA President in 2023; however, the PCB had allegedly and unlawfully restrained the elected officials from exercising their administrative powers. The petitioner was represented in court by the noted counsel, Taffazul Rizvi Advocate.

The High Court has directed the PCB to ensure a transparent electoral process in the future, mandating that the preparation of voter lists, verification of club statuses, and voter eligibility criteria must strictly adhere to the relevant rules and regulations.

The court also clarified that since the PCB functions under a statutory and constitutional framework, its decisions remain subject to judicial review by the superior courts.

By Nawaz Gohar ;  The historic Estadio Azteca shook to its very foundations on Thursday as global pop icon Shakira and Nigerian Afrobeat sensation Burna Boy delivered a breathtaking performance to kick off the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The dazzling opening ceremony perfectly set the stage for the highly anticipated curtain-raiser between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.

This year’s expanded 48-team spectacle—co-hosted alongside the United States and Canada—promises to be the largest in football history, spanning a grueling yet exhilarating 104-game schedule that will culminate at the grand final in New Jersey on July 19.

Inside the iconic 80,000-capacity arena—the legendary venue that hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals—the atmosphere was nothing short of electric. The newly renovated stadium came alive as legions of dancers swirled around a towering, giant replica of the World Cup trophy.

The visual spectacle was punctuated by a relentless barrage of fireworks that painted the Mexico City sky in vibrant hues.

The undeniable crescendo of the afternoon arrived when Colombian superstar Shakira teamed up with Burna Boy for a thunderous rendition of “Dai Dai”, the official tournament anthem.

The performance drew deafening roars from the packed stands, instantly turning the venue into a massive dance floor. Global hitmaker J Balvin and legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli also graced the stage, masterfully ramping up the noise levels to a fever pitch just moments before kickoff.

“It’s already a party in Mexico!” exclaimed Ingrid Orozco, a 40-year-old supporter draped in national colors. Echoing her euphoria, 19-year-old Gustavo Ramírez simply added, “It’s completely amazing.”

However, the jubilant carnival atmosphere inside the Azteca stood in stark, sobering contrast to scenes unfolding in the heart of Mexico City. Just hours before the 1800 GMT kickoff, thousands of ticketless fans descended upon the official World Cup Fan Zone, triggering chaotic stampede-like conditions.

The flashpoint occurred at the historic Zócalo Plaza, where local authorities had recently erected heavy metal barricades. The barriers, originally intended to blockade striking teachers protesting for higher wages, severely choked the entry points for football fans. As the crowd swelled, desperate supporters began pushing and shoving to gain entry.

“Stop pushing and shoving, there are children here! You’re acting like animals!” a frantic city official bellowed through a megaphone, attempting to restore order as crowds tried to glimpse the giant screens broadcasting the opening match.

The situation grew increasingly volatile as frustrated fans chanted pro-Mexican football slogans, hurled insults, and threw water bottles at lines of riot police. “It’s absolute madness,” remarked Javier Maciel, a 25-year-old fan trapped in the crush. “The organization could have been vastly better.”

With tensions flaring, the local government abruptly announced on social media that the Zócalo venue had reached maximum capacity, advising incoming crowds to redirect to alternative public plazas across the capital.

The escalating friction also carried political undertones. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who was heavily expected to join the public festivities at the Fan Zone to watch the opening game, cast significant doubt over her appearance following days of intense teacher protests that have overshadowed the buildup to this historic sporting moment.

As the beautiful game officially gets underway on the pitch, Mexico finds itself balancing the immense pride of hosting the world’s biggest party with the complex reality of managing it.

Shayek Dost’s stunning overhead kick and Harun Hamid’s solo strike late on helped Pakistan end a 74-year wait for a football tournament title as they beat Afghanistan 1-0 in the final of the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament in Male on Wednesday.

In front of fans waving the national flag and chanting “Pakistan, Pakistan”, an airborne Shayek showed supreme athleticism to score the opening goal before Harun sealed victory deep in stoppage time, marking it the first time ever that Pakistan have won the final of a stand-alone football tournament.

The Shaheens’ previous tournament triumph, way back in 1952 at the Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament, was decided on a league basis that saw them share the trophy with India.
The last time that Pakistan, who have won gold four times at the South Asian Games, had reached a final of a tournament was back in 1962 at the Merdeka Cup.

Afghanistan, who Pakistan had beaten 2-0 in their last round-robin encounter to finish top of the standings, made a strong start but the Shaheens regrouped.

Otis Khan was menacing down the left and after he won a free-kick, Pakistan took the lead in the 24th minute. Afghanistan failed to clear and the ball was then crossed in from the right with Otis’ miskick reaching Shayek on the bounce and thestriker acrobatically found the back of the net.

The goal gave Pakistan the opportunity to stamp their authority on the proceedings and although Afghanistan tried to come back and struck the crossbar in first half injury time, they went into the interval with the lead intact.

Pakistan, who were unbeaten in their run to the final, began the second half with purpose and Adil Nabi struck the bar almost immediately after the restart.

Nolberto Solano’s charges soon turned on the style with some intricate passing moves as fresh legs were introduced but the contest got increasingly fraught as the clock winded down.
Pakistan had a clear cut chance to put the game to bed with nine minutes left but Ali Shah shot straight at the goalkeeper.

At the other end, goalkeeper Saqib Hanif led a watertight defence and Pakistan closed out a historic victory when Harun Hamid struck late on. The winger, on as a substitute, went one way and then the other to leave an Afghanistan defender on the floor before tucking in off the post. It was the cue for Pakistan’s celebrations to begin as the team won a third game in a row to seal the title.

PFF PRESIDENT SYED MOHSEN GILANI CONGRATULATES NATION, DECLARES VICTORY HIGH POINT OF HIS TENURE

“When I took over as President of the Pakistan Football Federation, I had vowed we would do things that had never been done before. First, it was our women’s national team at the FIFA Series and now it is our men’s national team.

“From not having an elected federation for so many years to winning our first final at a stand-alone football tournament, we have come a long way in the space of one year, and this is another step in our journey to change the landscape of Pakistan football,

“ said the PFF chief and added: “This is the day that Pakistan football has announced itself to the world that it has the desire, the courage and the will to persevere and ultimately deliver on the international stage.

“To move forward, you always need a starting point and this triumph for men’s national team will hopefully be exactly that. This is the highest point of my tenure so far and it will herald a new beginning as we pledge to rewrite the history of the sport in Pakistan.

“To the men who have created history, to everyone who has contributed to it, we will continue to provide you with the tools to ensure you raise Pakistan’s flag at the world stage. This is just the start,” Mohsen Gilani concluded.

Islamabad : Yawar Hussain, a BS-20 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), has formally assumed charge as Director General of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), following his transfer and posting by the Establishment Division, Government of Pakistan.

Yawar Hussain has been posted to the PSB under the Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Division on a deputation basis with immediate effect. Prior to his appointment, he was serving under the Government of Punjab and brings with him extensive administrative experience and a strong background in public service.

Upon assuming office, Yawar Hussain expressed his commitment to promote sports development across the country and strengthen institutional support for athletes, coaches and sports federations.

He emphasized the importance of grassroots sports development, talent identification, capacity building and the provision of modern facilities to help Pakistani athletes excel at regional and international levels.

He also reaffirmed the PSB’s dedication to work closely with national sports federations, provincial governments, educational institutions and other stakeholders to create greater opportunities for young athletes and foster a vibrant sporting culture in the country.

The officials and staff of the PSB welcomed Yawar Hussain and expressed confidence that his leadership and administrative expertise would contribute significantly to the advancement of sports in Pakistan.

By Nawaz Gohar ; For twenty years, the legacy of late educationist and sports visionary Professor Mukhtar Ahmad Butt has been kept vibrant in Lahore through the timeless medium of competitive club cricket.

On a blistering afternoon at the Ittefaq Cricket Ground in Model Town, the 14th edition of the memorial tournament reached a fittingly dramatic climax, concluding with the Old Ravians lifting the coveted silverware.

Driven by a clinical, suffocating bowling performance and a crucial middle-order rescue act, the Old Ravians out-muscled the Sardar Group by 54 runs in a high-stakes final, asserting their dominance from the opening delivery.

Opting to bat first, the Old Ravians faced a disciplined, unrelenting opening spell from the Sardar Group bowling contingent. However, the top-order pair of Mujahid Rashid and Saqib Butt brought both composure and calculation to the crease.

Rashid anchor-dropped the innings with a top-scoring 45, while Saqib Butt played a fluid, high-tempo 41 to ensure the scoreboard kept ticking through the critical middle overs. Late in the innings, it was Saeed Ullah’s unbeaten, explosive 21 that gave the Old Ravians the necessary late acceleration to post a competitive 156 before being bowled out in the 19th over.

For the Sardar Group, M. Faiz, Hafiz Faisal, and Zafar Iqbal bowled with tremendous heart, chipping in with two wickets apiece to keep their team within striking distance of the title.

Defending 156 on a surface that demanded variations and tactical patience, the Old Ravians’ bowling attack put on a masterclass in collective pressure.

The Sardar Group chase never found its rhythm, losing wickets at regular intervals as the required run rate spiraled out of control. While Zafar Iqbal fought a lonely, aggressive battle with a gritty 36 and Munir Bhatti contributed an elegant 27, the rest of the batting lineup folded under the intensity of the big-match atmosphere.

The Blueprint of Dominance: Rather than relying on a single standout bowler, the Old Ravians utilized a highly balanced attack. M. Owais, Waleed Khan, and the ubiquitous Saeed Ullah shared the spoils perfectly, claiming two wickets each to bundle out Sardar Group for a paltry 102 within 15 overs. For his critical unbeaten cameo with the bat and decisive breakthrough wickets, Saeed Ullah was justly named Player of the Match.

At the prize distribution ceremony, player of the Tournament was Zeeshan Butt of Old Ravians, the best batsman was M. Azeem of Old Ravians and the best captain of the tournament was Sardar Group’s captain.

The closing ceremony was a star-studded affair, graced by Chief Guest Professor Salman Rafiq alongside former Pakistan Test all-rounder Manzoor Elahi, Kamran Ch, Sohail Murtaza, and other local dignitaries.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Organizer Faheem Mukhtar Butt congratulated the champions and expressed his profound gratitude to all participating clubs for upholding the spirit of the game.

Professor Salman Rafiq paid a moving tribute to the organizers, praising Faheem Butt’s unwavering dedication to sustaining this annual cricketing festival for two decades. By seamlessly blending top-tier club cricket with a tribute to an iconic educationist, the tournament remains a shining example of Lahore’s grassroots sports culture.