Ton-up Zain helps Lahore lift CM Punjab Champions League trophy
LAHORE: Lahore were crowned champions of the CM Punjab Champions League after producing a thrilling two-wicket victory over Multan in the men's final at Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala, with Zain-ul-Hasnain delivering a magnificent unbeaten century to guide his side to the title.
Chasing a challenging target of 198, Lahore held their nerve in a tense finish, reaching 198-8 in 19.5 overs to seal the championship in style. Zain-ul-Hasnain was the undisputed star of the final, remaining unbeaten on a brilliant 119 to steer his team across the finish line. Zafar also made a valuable contribution with 33 runs.
Multan's bowling attack fought hard to defend the total, with Ahmed producing an outstanding spell of 5-25. His performance included a hat-trick that briefly put Lahore under tremendous pressure and gave Multan hope of turning the contest in their favour. However, Zain's exceptional batting performance ultimately proved decisive.
Earlier, Multan posted a competitive 197-9 in their allotted 20 overs after opting to bat first, setting Lahore a target of 198 in the title decider. The final was followed by a colourful closing ceremony attended by Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi and Lahore Qalandars owner Atif Rana, who graced the occasion as chief guests. They distributed prizes among the outstanding teams and players, congratulated the champions and runners-up, and posed for group photographs with the participating cricketers.
Lahore Qalandars owner Atif Rana also praised the initiative, describing the organisation of the CM Punjab Champions League as a welcome step towards developing cricketing talent in the province. He appreciated the Sports Board Punjab for organising an excellent tournament and congratulated the victorious teams and outstanding players on their achievements.
Speaking on the occasion, DG Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi said the CM Punjab Champions League had provided an excellent platform for emerging cricketers to demonstrate their talent and highlighted the emergence of promising new players through the competition.
He congratulated the winning teams and individual performers, appreciating their commitment and competitive spirit throughout the tournament. He also noted that matches were organised in Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Lahore, extending the league's reach across different regions of Punjab.
