LAHORE: Diamond Paints and FG Polo secured their spots in the grand finale of the EcoStar 49th Abaik Cup that is scheduled to be played this Saturday, promising a high-octane battle for one of the season’s most coveted trophies.
The semifinal matches drew a massive audience, including families, polo enthusiasts, and socialites. In attendance were the members of the club’s Executive Committee, Secretary Maj Amjad Ghafoor, and representatives from the tournament sponsors, DWP EcoStar. The presence of a diverse crowd added to the festive and prestigious ambiance of the event.
In the first semifinal, Diamond Paints dominated SQ Seagold and outpaced by a decisive score of 9-5. From the winning side, the offensive charge was led by Lap Abelenda, who hammered home four goals. Mir Huzaifa Ahmed followed closely with a hat-trick (three goals), while Muhammad Ali Malik and Raja Jalal Arslan contributed one goal each to seal the victory. For SQ Seagold, Raja Samiullah managed two goals, with Shiraz Qureshi, Bilal Haye, and Ahmed Ali Tiwana adding one each.
The second semifinal was a much tighter affair, characterised by aggressive play and back-and-forth scoring. FG Polo eventually overcame BN Polo in a high-scoring encounter that spanned multiple days.
The match was a continuation from the previous four chukkers. On the final day, FG Polo secured the win with a match score of 7-6, resulting in a massive aggregate final score of 14.5-11. Raja Mikayial Sami was the standout star for FG Polo, scoring five fabulous goals. He was supported by Abdul Rehman Monnoo and Marcos Rivarola, who converted one goal each.
BN Polo fought valiantly, spearheaded by Hamza Mawaz Khan, who matched the five-goal tally, alongside a single goal from Ibrahim Khalil. However, it wasn’t enough to bridge the gap. The stage is now set for Saturday’s final at the Lahore Polo Club. With both Diamond Paints and FG Polo showing exceptional form and goal-scoring prowess, the 49th Abaik Cup final is expected to be a highlight of the national polo calendar.
