It was a night Baramulla had never quite seen before. Under floodlights at the General Bipin Rawat Stadium, the town hosted its first-ever day-night cricket final, as the Indian Army-organised Chinar Premier League (CPL) drew packed crowds and families deep into the night, turning an ordinary September evening into a landmark sporting occasion for north Kashmir.
A Town That Stayed Awake
For a district where nightlife has rarely extended much beyond dusk, the scenes at the stadium were unlike anything locals had witnessed. Hundreds of families, some carrying food and blankets to stay through the chill, lingered well past midnight to watch the summit clash unfold under lights. The turnout capped what had been a landmark fortnight for Baramulla, a town that until this month had never hosted competitive cricket under floodlights.
Three matches played under lights in the preceding week had already begun drawing large crowds from Baramulla and neighbouring areas, building anticipation for the final. By the time the summit clash arrived, the stadium was packed to capacity, with spectators lining every available vantage point around the ground.
The Final: Sultan Warriors Seal a Historic Win
The final pitted Sultan Warriors Baramulla, one of the Valley’s most closely followed teams, against Ramzi Sports Srinagar. Batting first after winning the toss, Sultan Warriors posted a commanding target of 178 runs in their 20 overs. Ramzi Sports came out swinging in the chase, playing several promising partnerships in front of a raucous home crowd, but could not sustain the required tempo against a target of that size. The Srinagar side eventually fell 41 runs short, handing Sultan Warriors Baramulla the CPL trophy.
The victory carried extra significance beyond the scoreline: Sultan Warriors became the first team to win a day-night final organised by the Army under the Chinar Premier League banner, cementing their place in the tournament’s early history.
Dignitaries Turn Out for the Occasion
The final was attended by a host of dignitaries, underlining the scale of the occasion. Major General Manoj Joshi, General Officer Commanding of the 19 Infantry Division, was present as chief guest, alongside Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atul Dulloo and Deputy Commissioner Baramulla S.F. Hamid. Their attendance reflected the growing stature of the Army-backed tournament as both a sporting and community event in the region.
More Than a Match
For organisers, the evening was about more than crowning a champion. The Chinar Premier League has positioned itself as a platform for young cricketers across north Kashmir to gain competitive exposure, compete under professional-style conditions, and showcase their talent before wider audiences. The introduction of floodlit, day-night cricket to Baramulla marks a significant step in that direction, offering local players a taste of the format increasingly associated with top-tier domestic and franchise cricket.
Beyond the cricketing contest, the night doubled as a community celebration. Families turning out with children in tow, vendors doing brisk business around the stadium, and a buzz that lasted well past midnight all pointed to cricket’s growing pull as a unifying force in the Valley — one that brings together youth, sport and community spirit in equal measure.
A Fortnight to Remember
With the CPL final now behind it, Baramulla can lay claim to a new chapter in its sporting history: the town that once had no floodlit cricket now has a champion team, a record crowd, and a template for future editions. For a region where such gatherings carry their own quiet significance, the historic night at General Bipin Rawat Stadium is likely to be remembered as more than just a cricket final — it was a statement of normalcy, enthusiasm and shared celebration under the lights.
