30,000-strong crowd witnesses first-ever day-night cricket final at General Bipin Rawat Stadium
Saqib Nabi
Baramulla, Sept 15: Sultan Warriors Baramulla lifted the Chinar Premier League (CPL) 2026 trophy after defeating Ramzii Sports Srinagar by 41 runs in a thrilling final at the General Bipin Rawat Stadium here, bringing the month-long tournament to a spectacular close.
The final created sporting history in Baramulla as the town hosted its first-ever day-night cricket final under floodlights, drawing nearly 30,000 spectators, including youngsters, families and cricket enthusiasts from Baramulla and several other districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The atmosphere at the stadium remained electric as supporters cheered their teams through the historic night. Many spectators stayed late into the night to witness the landmark summit clash, describing the tournament as a major boost to cricket and youth engagement in the region.
Organised by the Indian Army in collaboration with the Baramulla Cricket Forum (BCF), the CPL 2026 was held from August 8 to September 14 with the objective of promoting grassroots cricket, youth participation, sportsmanship and greater interaction among young people from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
The tournament received an overwhelming response, with 130 teams registering, of which 79 were selected for the competition. The participating sides included 38 teams from Baramulla and 41 from other parts of the region, representing 10 districts of Kashmir besides Jammu, Leh and Kargil.
Around 1,600 young cricketers took part in the tournament, with more than 112 matches played across eight venues, providing emerging players with a major platform to showcase their skills.
In the title clash, Sultan Warriors produced a composed and determined performance to overcome Ramzii Sports Srinagar by 41 runs and secure the coveted trophy. Their disciplined all-round display earned them a memorable victory in front of a packed and enthusiastic crowd.
The tournament also attracted the attention of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) selectors, who followed the performances of players from the semi-final stage onwards. The initiative provided young cricketers an opportunity to perform in a competitive environment in the presence of experienced players.
Sultan Warriors’ Asim Bashir was adjudged the Player of the Tournament, while Adnan Manzoor of Ramzii Sports Srinagar was recognised as the Emerging Talent.
The presence of experienced Indian team, Ranji Trophy and state-level players further added quality to the competition and allowed younger cricketers to learn from established players.
The final was attended by J&K Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Major General Manoj Joshi, GOC 19 Infantry Division, and Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Dr S.F. Hamid, besides senior Army, police and civil administration officers.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo appreciated the organisers, players and stakeholders for successfully conducting the league, describing the CPL as a celebration of cricket, sporting talent and the energy of the youth. He also lauded the discipline, teamwork and sportsmanship displayed during the tournament.
For local youngsters, the tournament offered much more than competitive cricket. Youths from Baramulla and other districts who attended the matches said they were delighted to watch high-quality cricket in their own region, particularly the historic floodlit final.
Several social and community leaders also welcomed the initiative, saying that such sporting events provide young people with positive avenues for recreation, talent development and constructive engagement.
The CPL 2026 also highlighted the growing Army-community partnership and the role of sport in youth empowerment and social integration. The tournament was supported by Baramulla Rashtriya Rifles, Himalayan Brigade and Dagger Division under the aegis of the Indian Army.
Organisers said the massive public response to CPL 2026 demonstrated the growing popularity of cricket across the region and expressed hope that the league would expand further in the coming years, creating more opportunities for aspiring cricketers from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
