Poonch’s cricket enthusiasts witnessed history as Nanak Panthers lifted the Poonch Premier League trophy, overcoming Weekend Warriors in a six-wicket masterclass. The sixth season, running for a month, promoted a drug-free society and paid tribute to fallen heroes in Jammu and Kashmir’s border district.
Opting to field after winning the toss, Nanak Panthers restricted Weekend Warriors to 159 in 19.3 overs. Standout performances came from Nasir Khan (44) and Sajjad Sheikh (41), but the bowlers struck regularly to prevent a bigger total.
In reply, the Panthers needed just 17 overs to reach 160 for 4. Their middle-order firepower turned the game decisively, thrilling the crowd. Featuring seven teams in a robust league format, the tournament underscored local talent.
Local legislator Ejaz Ahmad Jan hailed the champions and organizers. ‘Our players have world-class potential,’ he remarked, linking sports participation to drug prevention. ‘Encouraging youth in cricket keeps them on the right path,’ he stressed, predicting national success for Poonch cricketers.
Prize distribution saw Nanak Panthers bag ₹1 lakh, Weekend Warriors ₹70,000, third-placed team ₹10,000, and fourth ₹5,000. Parvez Malik, the organizer, reiterated the tournament’s martyr-dedicated ethos and its mission to engage youth productively through cricket.
