Sultan Warriors Baramulla defeat BCC Reds by 25 runs in CPL 2026 semi-final played under lights
Baramulla : Cricket entered a new phase at Baramulla’s General Bipin Rawat Stadium as the ground hosted its first match under floodlights, with Sultan Warriors Baramulla defeating BCC Reds by 25 runs in the Chinar Premier League 2026 semi-final. The day-and-night encounter on Tuesday drew cricket followers from Baramulla and surrounding areas to the stadium as the two local sides battled for a place in the tournament final. Sultan Warriors secured the 25-run victory to advance to the title clash, bringing an added competitive edge to an evening that was also significant for the stadium’s sporting infrastructure. The match was played under newly introduced floodlights, allowing competitive cricket to continue after sunset at the venue for the first time. The development could open the ground to more evening fixtures and larger tournaments in future. Contemporary reports from Baramulla also described the semi-final as the stadium’s first floodlit cricket match.
Spectators gathered around the ground as the lights came on, creating an atmosphere different from the daytime fixtures traditionally played at the stadium. For the players, the match also offered experience of adjusting to changing light and visibility conditions during a day-and-night contest, something that is increasingly common at higher levels of competitive cricket. The Chinar Premier League, organised under the initiative of the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps, has brought together teams and players from different parts of the region through a structured tournament format. Tuesday’s fixture was one of the league’s knockout matches, with Sultan Warriors and BCC Reds meeting in the semi-final. Online coverage of the match also recorded Sultan Warriors’ 25-run win and their progression to the CPL final. The introduction of floodlights is particularly significant for Baramulla because it expands the hours during which the stadium can host competitive cricket and provides organisers with the possibility of scheduling evening matches. For local cricket followers, however, the immediate focus remains on the CPL title. After overcoming BCC Reds under lights, Sultan Warriors will now carry Baramulla’s first floodlit CPL victory into the tournament final.
