BN Polo and Master Paints reach main final of 6th Allama Iqbal Polo Cup
LAHORE : BN Polo and Master Paints have qualified for the main final of the 6th Allama Iqbal Polo Cup 2025/26. The tournament, sponsored by Master Paints in the loving memory of late Sufi Haris, saw two high-octane semifinals on a cold Friday, attended by a large number of polo enthusiasts and families.
In the first semifinal, BN Polo edged out favourites FG/Din in a nail-biting encounter with a final score of 7-6.5. Hamza Mawaz Khan was the star for BN Polo, firing in five fabulous goals, while Saim Abbas and Babar Naseem added one goal each. For FG/Din, who started with a half goal handicap advantage, Mekayial Sami fought valiantly with four goals, supported by one goal each from Sheikh Muhammad Farhad and Saqib Khan Khakwani.
The match began with FG/Din holding a 0.5-goal handicap advantage. The first chukka was a high-scoring affair as BN Polo immediately went on the offensive; Hamza Mawaz showcased his prowess by converting a 30-yard penalty and a 40-yard penalty, followed by a field goal. FG/Din stayed within striking distance through Mekayial Sami, who successfully converted both a spot penalty and a 30-yard penalty, leaving the score at 3–2.5 in favour of BN Polo.
In the second chukka, BN Polo extended their lead as Hamza Mawaz hammered in a spectacular 60-yard penalty. While Sheikh Muhammad Farhad pulled one back for FG/Din with a field goal, Babar Naseem responded with a field goal of his own to keep BN Polo ahead at 5–3.5.
The third chukka saw a spirited comeback from FG/Din, who momentarily snatched the lead. Despite an early field goal by BN Polo’s Saim Abbas, FG/Din dominated the rest of the period with Mekayial Sami converting two more 30-yard penalties and Saqib Khakwani adding a field goal. This surge placed FG/Din ahead by a narrow margin of 6–6.5 heading into the final chukker.
With the match on the line in the fourth chukka, both defences tightened, but it was the hero of the day, Hamza Mawaz, who proved decisive. Under immense pressure, he converted a 30-yard penalty to reclaim the lead for BN Polo. The match concluded at 7–6.5, securing BN Polo’s place in the main final. The match was officiated by umpires Nicanor Bruz and Marcos Rivarola.
The second semifinal was equally intense, as Master Paints defeated Diamond Paints 8-7 in a last-minute thriller. Amirreza Behboudi led the charge for Master Paints with four goals, complemented by two from Ch Fateh Mehmood, and one each by M. Ali Malik and Sufi M. Haroon. Diamond Paints’ Raja Jalal Arslan showcased exceptional skill with five goals, while Mir Huzaifa Ahmed and Raja Temur Nadeem chipped in with one goal apiece.
The opening chukka set a frantic pace as both teams traded goals rapidly. Ch Fateh Mehmood opened the scoring for Master Paints with a field goal, but Diamond Paints responded immediately through Raja Jalal Arslan, who converted a spot penalty.
Master Paints then surged ahead with consecutive field goals from Amirreza Behboudi and M. Ali Malik, ending the first chukka with a narrow 3–1 lead. In the second chukka, the momentum swung toward Diamond Paints as Raja Jalal Arslan took control, hammering in a hat-trick of goals, including a 60-yard conversion and two field goals. Master Paints managed to stay in touch with a single field goal from Amirreza Behboudi, leaving the teams deadlocked at 4–4 going into the half.
The third chukker was an explosive period that saw seven goals scored in total. Diamond Paints briefly took the lead through goals from Temur Nadeem, Raja Jalal Arslan (a 30-yarder), and Mir Huzaifa. However, Master Paints refused to back down, as Amirreza Behboudi converted two critical 40-yard penalties and Sufi Haroon added a field goal to keep the pressure on.
Entering the fourth and final chukker with the match on a knife-edge, both defences tightened significantly. The decisive moment came when Ch Fateh Mehmood found an opening to smash in a field goal, clinching the 8–7 victory for Master Paints. The match was expertly officiated by umpires Nicanor Bruz and Marcos Rivarola, setting the stage for an epic final between Master Paints and BN Polo this Sunday.
