Reyaz Rashid
Heewan : The stage was set, the crowd was buzzing with anticipation, and the Heewan Premier League’s (HPL) 3rd Edition final match lived up to its billing as Lone Warriors emerged victorious, defeating Rising Star Rajwara by 53 runs in a thrilling T20 cricket showdown. The HPL 3rd Edition concluded on Thursday, capping a memorable tournament that saw 64 teams battle for supremacy at Mini Stadium Heewan in Narvaw area of Baramulla district.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Lone Warriors put up a challenging total of 158 runs for the loss of 10 wickets. The standout performance of the day came from Rizwan Bhat, who blazed a remarkable 72 runs off just 26 balls and was rightfully awarded the Man of the Match for his stellar innings.
In response, Rising Star Rajwara faced an uphill battle as they chased down the target. Unfortunately, they could only muster 105 runs, losing all ten wickets. Their troubles began right at the outset when opener Nasir Nazeer was dismissed for a golden duck by Lone Warriors’ bowler, Imran Rashid. Despite the valiant efforts of skipper Bhat Rouf and the middle order, the required run rate proved too steep to conquer.
Speaking about the tournament, President of the Heewan Cricket Association, Sheikh Tajamul Islam, expressed his satisfaction, saying, “The aim of the tournament was to exploit the talent of youth in cricket and provide an opportunity for the interested youth to showcase their skills at the national level.”
“HCA takes pride in organizing the largest tournament in Baramulla district, hosting 64 teams. We are committed to giving our best to enhance the cricketing experience and bring smiles to the faces of cricket enthusiasts,” affirmed Sheikh Tajamul, the renowned cricketer and President of HCA.
The tournament drew a massive turnout of enthusiastic spectators who came out to support their local heroes and root for their respective teams. The overwhelming response was evident with a diverse crowd that included youth, elders, and local government representatives. The event not only celebrated cricket but also ignited a sense of unity and community spirit.
The award and presentation ceremony was graced by special guests, including DDC Chairperson Mir Iqbal and SYSF Chairman Wajahat Farooq who were flanked by Sarpanch Heewan Farooq Ahmad Sheikh and renowned social activist Reyaz Ahmad Ganai.Local elders were also part of the event, adding a touch of tradition and wisdom to the celebrations.
As the HPL 3rd Edition concluded with Lone Warriors emerging as champions, it left a lasting impression on the community and underlined the importance of promoting local talent and fostering the love for cricket at the grassroots level. Zeeshan of Lone Warriors was declared as man of the series.