Nicosia, Cyprus. Punjab Lions won the Cyprus Cricket T20 Cup sponsored by HurryCurry after defeating previously unbeaten Telugu11 by six wickets in Sunday’s final. The result concluded the domestic T20 competitions ahead of a summer break, with competitive action scheduled to resume in September.
Punjab Lions claim T20 Cup
Punjab Lions elected to bowl and dismissed Telugu11 for 87 in 18.5 overs. Captain Neeraj Tiwari and Vansham Bhandari took three wickets each.
Punjab Lions reached the target in the 19th over, with Moeed Ali top-scoring with 25 runs. Telugu11’s Subareddy Alavala, returning after missing matches earlier in the tournament through injury, took three wickets.
Individual tournament awards
Telugu11’s Sankar Mekala finished as the tournament’s leading batter with 324 runs at an average of 46.29 and a strike rate of 148.62. He received the Best Batter and Most Valuable Player awards.
Bhandari was named Best Bowler after taking 19 wickets at an average of 5.84 and an economy rate of 4.06.
The competition was dominated by bowlers, with more than half of deliveries resulting in dot balls. One century was scored, while the average runs per wicket was 13.88.
Women’s domestic competition
Moufflons Women and Sri Lankan Lions Women each recorded two victories in their domestic T20 campaign. Moufflons Women were crowned champions on superior net run rate.
Iresha Chathurani scored 168 runs at an average of 84 and a strike rate of 105 to win the Best Batter and Most Valuable Player awards. Hithansdura Chandima was named Best Bowler after taking five wickets at an average of 16.84 and an economy rate of 5.86.
Season and development activity
Cyprus Cricket’s men’s and women’s national teams each played 10 T20 International matches during the first half of the season. Cyprus also hosted the ICC Europe Sub-Regional Qualifiers in May, with nine international teams taking part.
In March, Cyprus Cricket organised a coaching session for school teachers aimed at equipping them to deliver cricket in schools. Coaches introduced cricket to thousands of young people during the first half of the year, while more Criiio modified cricket festivals were held for children and adults.
Cyprus Cricket’s schools programme was named ICC Europe’s Best Development Initiative for 2025.
