Lahore Blues Win National U19 Championship Title
Lahore Blues lifted the National U19 Championship 2026-27 trophy with a six-wicket win over Rawalpindi, sealed on the third day of the final at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.
Rawalpindi began the day on 187 for nine in their second innings and managed only a single run before the last wicket fell at 188 in 63.4 overs. Lahore Blues then chased down the 200-run target in 77.5 overs, losing four wickets along the way.
A one-run morning and a calm chase
Rawalpindi’s second innings ended almost as soon as it resumed. The overnight pair could not add to the total, and the side folded for 188, leaving Lahore Blues with a chase of 200 on the third day.
Rana anchored the chase with 86 not out, supported by Naqeeb Ullah’s 53, as Lahore Blues closed on 200 for four. Mohammad Hassan Khan’s three for 40 could not stop them, the target proving too small to defend.
The win gave Lahore Blues the title after three days of a final in which the lead changed hands more than once.
Rana’s match
Rana was named player of the match, and the award reflected a final in which he shaped both Lahore Blues innings. He made 47 in the first innings, when Lahore Blues replied to Rawalpindi’s 233 with 222 for nine, and then stayed unbeaten on 86 in the chase.
Naqeeb Ullah supported him in both innings. He made 53 in the chase and took four wickets for 60 runs in Rawalpindi’s first innings.
Ibtisam Azhar was the pick of the Lahore Blues bowlers across the match. He took four for 80 in the first innings and five for 63 in the second, a match haul of nine wickets.
Rawalpindi’s batting rested on Mohammad Sohaib, who made 74 in the first innings, and Idrees Hayat, who made 72 in the second. Mohammad Ahmad made 57 in the first innings, while Mohammad Hassan Khan took six for 68 in Lahore Blues’ first innings and three for 40 in the second, a match haul of nine wickets of his own.
Scores in brief
| Innings | Score |
|---|---|
| Rawalpindi, 1st innings | 233 all out, 70 overs (Mohammad Sohaib 74, Mohammad Ahmad 57; Naqeeb Ullah 4-60, Ibtisam Azhar 4-80) |
| Lahore Blues, 1st innings | 222-9, 70 overs (Daud Tauqir Rana 47, Haseeb Ur Rehman 44, Khawaja Hamid Ali Khan 29; Mohammad Hassan Khan 6-68) |
| Rawalpindi, 2nd innings | 188 all out, 63.4 overs (Idrees Hayat 72; Ibtisam Azhar 5-63) |
| Lahore Blues, 2nd innings | 200-4, 77.5 overs (Daud Tauqir Rana 86 not out, Naqeeb Ullah 53; Mohammad Hassan Khan 3-40) |
Lahore Blues won by six wickets. Player of the match: Daud Tauqir Rana.
National U19 Championship: a title on the pathway
The National U19 Championship is the Pakistan Cricket Board’s main domestic competition for players under 19, and its final is one of the clearest markers of form in the age group. The players who stand out here are the ones the selectors watch for the national under-19 side.
That pathway has produced results in recent weeks. Pakistan’s under-19 side beat India in the U19 Asia Cup, with Hamza Zahoor scoring a century, and the senior side is in the middle of its first Test against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, after training ahead of the series. Rana’s unbeaten 86 in a final chase, and Ibtisam’s nine wickets in the match, are the kind of performances that put young players on the selectors’ list.
Pakistan’s youth teams have also been busy in other sports, with the under-17 football side beating Sri Lanka 3-1 in the AFC qualifiers. For Lahore Blues, the title is a reward for a squad that held its nerve in a low-scoring final, and for Rana, it is a match-winning innings that will be remembered when the next under-19 squad is picked.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the National U19 Championship?
Lahore Blues won the National U19 Championship 2026-27 title, beating Rawalpindi by six wickets in the final at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.
Who was the player of the match?
Daud Tauqir Rana of Lahore Blues. He scored 47 in the first innings and an unbeaten 86 in the chase of 200 runs.
What were the scores in the final?
Rawalpindi made 233 and 188. Lahore Blues made 222 for nine and 200 for four, winning by six wickets on the third day.
Who were the best bowlers in the final?
Ibtisam Azhar took nine wickets in the match for Lahore Blues, with four for 80 and five for 63. Mohammad Hassan Khan took nine wickets for Rawalpindi, with six for 68 and three for 40.
Why does the U19 title matter?
The National U19 Championship is the PCB’s main domestic competition for under-19 players. Strong performances in the final feed into selection for Pakistan’s national under-19 side, which recently beat India in the U19 Asia Cup.
