LAHORE – Lahore won its first major title in 18 years when Lahore Eagles defeated KRL in the National One-Day Division II final at Karachi. The victory came under the managerial authority of Abdul Rashid and coaching of Manzoor Elahi while Rai Zufiqar represented LCCA president Kh Nadeem.
It is believed that the change of guard in the LCCA after more than two decades raised the standard of the game and now it is at par with other rivals from all over the country. The credit must be given the team management which brought this honour to Lahore with the support of LCCA president Kh Nadeem and secretary Mian Javed Ali. Lahore Eagles beat tough teams like State Bank on their way to the finals to become the champions.
In the recent past dark clouds were hovering over Lahore cricket due to the infighting of the officials and poor selection under Aamer Hayat Rokhari-led management. But an independent panel in the East Zone overthrew the Rokhari’s corrupt regime. Former first class cricketer Javed Ali created the panel in the east zone, defeating not only Rokhri but also former PCB chairman Lt Gen (retd) Tauqir Zia. Soon after the change of management, Lahore showed progress by winning the country’s prestigious T20 tournament for the first time.
Lahore teams was reeling at number nine or eight in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Grade II when the new office-bearers took over and within a year their rank improved to four. Lahore’s under-19 teams too reached the semi-final after a long gap in the national arena and now Lahore Eagles won the National One Day Tournament.
LCCA Secretary Mian Javed Ali said that the day he assumed the charge, he vowed to uphold merit and give chance to good players even if they were from an opposing panel or group. The practical manifestation of merit is Rana Adnan who played in the team despite being from the former president’s Shining Club.
Lahore breaks 18-year title drought
