Ali Baloch makes impression as Lahore emerge as National U-19 Cricket champs | Sports

#Ali #Baloch #impression #Lahore #emerge #National #U19 #Cricket #champs #Sports

Lahore Blues have won the Men’s National Under-19 Cup 2025-26, defeating Rawalpindi by a comfortable margin of seven wickets in the final. It was only 12 years later that a team from Lahore won the coveted title. Ali Hasan Baloch, the proud captain of the winning team, also bagged two individual awards: the best batsman of the tournament and the best player of the tournament. He finished as the tournament’s top scorer. In eight innings, with three centuries and two fifties, the left-hander amassed 610 runs at an average of 75.38 with an excellent strike rate of nearly 100. He showed an amazing ability to clear the ropes. His 33 sixes was twice as many as any other batsman. Additionally, with his right-arm break, Ali also took eight wickets at an economy rate of 21.33. It has been a long journey.

In South Asia, cricket attracts almost every child in the early years.

-“I don’t remember. Father tells me I was not four when I first played with him at home.”

His father, Hasan Baloch, saw something special in the child. -“Only seven, I enrolled in Elim Dar Cricket Academy. Ashraf Ali, brother of Test cricketer Azhar Ali, was my coach, and I learned a lot from him for about four years. When Azhar Ali started his own academy, and joined Azhar Ali Academy with him. Local tournaments.

Lahore election came soon.

“I played for Lahore U-13 in the National U-19 Cup in 2018. The following year, in the same tournament, I appeared for Central Punjab U-13 (for some years, provincial teams had replaced regional sides). In January 2020, I was called for PCB’s U-13 Pakistan camp for skill improvement.”

Next up was the Under 16 circuit

“Here too, I made two appearances in the U-16 nationals: in 2022, for the Punjab Central Whites and in 2023, for the Lahore region.”

Finally, the biggest age group competition in Pakistan. “In the 2023 U-19 National Cup, I was the vice-captain of the Lahore region, and we finished runners-up. Former Pakistan international Mujahid Jamshed was the team coach.

I did well and was among the 30 who participated in the final camp of the Asia Cup.

Ali did not make the 2023 national team, but after his impressive performance at the 2025 Under-19 National Cup, his selection is a foregone conclusion. He is reportedly doing very well for the upcoming international tournaments: the U-19 Asia Cup (in November/December) and the U-19 World Cup (in January) at the preparatory camp in Multan.

These are not only competitions. Ali has participated in several high profile camps.

“Engro Corporation, in partnership with PCB, launched the 100 Star Pathway Engro Camp. 100 top performers in the Under-16, Under-16, and Under-19 age groups were selected in this talent development program for junior cricketers in Pakistan. It spanned three years (2022-2024): I was invited to all three camps twice. PCB Talent Development Camp Under 19

Recently, he has successfully transitioned to the senior level.

“In 2023-24, as a 17-year-old kid, I played for Eshal Associates in Grade 2 cricket (President’s Trophy). I got to play only one match, but I managed to score 22 runs.”

This season, he has come of age. In six Grade 2 matches for Subrosso. Ali’s display was comparable to his performance in the National Under-19 Cup, scoring 445 runs at an average of 55.

“The experience was amazing – I learned a lot working with senior and experienced players. It helped me understand the game better and develop as a player. Gaining confidence helped me later in the U-19 Cup.”

Education is a priority in almost all households in this part of the world. Also, her home-mother is a coordinator at a highly prestigious private school chain.

Ali has not disappointed.

“I did my early education at Lahore Grammar School. Then I joined Crescent Model School, which has excellent sports facilities: fields, swimming pools and courts. Some prominent players have emerged from here, including tennis star Asamul Haque, Test cricketer Sami Meemin, tennis star character Samid Islam and some of the most exciting forwards in the international hockey scene. Sultan of Johor Cup, also at Crescent Model School at the school. Uncompromising, and I should mention the school coach.

Later, I got a scholarship to Beacon House through the pathway program under PCB, and completed my O levels. After that, I joined GC University on a sports scholarship, but had to stop when it became difficult to manage matches and written exams. I have recently completed my BTEC programme, which is assignment based and equivalent to Intermediate/A level. Combining cricket and education is stressful at times, but also fulfilling.

About his favorite cricketers

“Being a lefty, I would say Brian Lara and Adam Gilchrist. Among the batsmen today, I admire Travis Sir and Abhishek Sharma.”

Many of today’s superstars turned up at the international level in the U-19 World Cup: Joe Root, Virat Kohli, Kagiso Rabada, Travis Head, Babar Azam, Shakibul Hasan, Kane Williamson, Rashid Khan, to name a few.

ijaz62@hotmail.com