KABUL (Pajhwok): Dubai Petroleum have won the 2026 50-over Inter-Club Cricket Tournament in southern Ghazni province, featuring 24 local clubs.
Provincial Cricket Director Abdul Wadud Paktiawal told Pajhwok that 24 teams participated in the two-month tournament and were divided into four groups.
He said each team played five matches according to the schedule, with one match held every day.
Paktiawal added that the main objectives of the tournament were to improve players’ physical fitness and technical skills, increase their match experience and identify talented cricketers for upcoming second-tier inter-provincial competitions.
He said Menawal Zalmai and Dubai Petroleum reached the final, where Dubai Petroleum defeated their opponents by eight wickets to claim the trophy.
Meanwhile, participant Uzir Bakhtiar said cricket was becoming increasingly popular in Ghazni, but the province still lacked a standard cricket ground.
“We face many challenges. We do not have a proper ground where we can train and play matches confidently. We urge the government to pay serious attention to this sector,” he said.
Spectators also welcomed the growing popularity of cricket but called for better facilities.
Ghazni resident Momin Ahmad Takal said organising such tournaments every year encouraged young people to participate in the sport, but the ground lacked shade, drinking water and adequate seating facilities for spectators.
He added that providing standard facilities for both players and fans would help further develop cricket in Ghazni.
Cricket has become one of the most popular sports among young people in Ghazni in recent years, with thousands of youths now playing the game in the provincial capital and several districts.
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