The final match and closing ceremony of the 11th edition of the Pakistan-Nepal Friendship T20 Cricket Tournament 2026 were held at the Pakistan Embassy in Kathmandu on Sunday.

The tournament, organised from February 7 to 15, featured 12 teams from various Nepali clubs, including the Pakistan Embassy team. Held annually since 2014, the event aims to celebrate the shared passion for cricket and support youth development in Pakistan and Nepal, the embassy said in a statement.

Baluwatar Cricket Academy won the title and received the trophy and a cash prize. The Pakistan Embassy team finished as runners-up.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Nepal Abrar H Hashmi presented trophies, medals and cash prizes to the winning team, top performers and tournament officials. Ambassadors of Bangladesh and China, the secretary general of SAARC, the charge d’affaires of Malaysia, and other diplomats attended the event.

Seven Nepali cricketers who had participated in earlier editions and later progressed to Nepal’s national-level teams were recognised during the ceremony.

Iqbal Haider, counsellor (Political and Education) at the Pakistan Embassy, said the tournament reflected the embassy’s continued efforts to promote cricket at the grassroots level and nurture emerging talent in Nepal.

In his closing address, Ambassador Hashmi reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening youth engagement and sporting exchanges between the two countries. He announced that the 12th edition in 2027 will be expanded to 16 teams.