SWAT: Swat District and Bar-Swat District were declared joint winners of the Commissioner Malakand Cricket Cup 2026 after persistent rain forced the final to be abandoned at Grassy Ground, Mingora.
The final was played on Pakistan’s Independence Day and was attended by Member of the Provincial Assembly Fazal Hakim Khan and Commissioner Malakand Division Masood Ahmed. Deputy Commissioner Swat Sohail Ahmed, District Police Officer Muhammad Umar, Regional Sports Officer Malakand Hazratullah and other officials were also present.
Swat District batted first, but persistent rain interrupted the match during the second innings while the Upper Swat side was at the crease. With play unable to resume, tournament officials decided to declare both teams joint champions and awarded the championship trophy to both sides.
Hundreds of cricket fans gathered at the ground and cheered the players during the final.
At the concluding ceremony, Fazal Hakim Khan, Commissioner Masood Ahmed and other officials distributed trophies and prizes among the two teams and outstanding performers.
Addressing the ceremony, the speakers welcomed the decision to hold the tournament final on Independence Day, saying sporting activities provide young people with healthy recreation while promoting discipline, teamwork and a spirit of healthy competition.
They said Swat and other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have significant sporting talent and assured participants that efforts would continue to provide young people with improved sporting facilities and opportunities.
The speakers congratulated the organisers, district administration, Sports Department and participating players for successfully conducting the tournament and praised both finalists for sharing the championship.
The Commissioner Malakand Cricket Cup began on August 8, with teams representing districts across Malakand Division participating in the tournament.
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