SHANDUR: Gilgit has reclaimed the Shandur Polo Festival 2026 crown after a 12-year absence, defeating fierce rivals Chitral 6-5 in a breathtaking final that enthralled thousands of spectators at the world’s highest polo ground.
Chitral came out strongly in the first half, putting five goals past Gilgit to take a commanding lead into the break. It looked as though the rivals would extend their dominance — but Gilgit had other plans.
The second half belonged entirely to Gilgit, and at the heart of that transformation were defenders Nasir Hussain and Raja Saddam. The two adopted an iron-walled defensive strategy that shut Chitral out completely, denying them a single additional goal for the remainder of the match. Their resolute display allowed Gilgit’s attackers to claw back level, and with the score locked at 5–5, the final was perfectly poised for a dramatic conclusion.
That moment came through Zulfiqar Hameed, who stepped up when it mattered most and buried the decisive goal to seal a historic 6-5 victory for Gilgit.
Celebrations erupted among Gilgit supporters as the final whistle confirmed the result, bringing the prestigious Shandur trophy back to Gilgit-Baltistan after more than a decade. The performances of Nasir Hussain, Raja Saddam, and match-winner Zulfiqar Hameed will be remembered long after the dust settles on the Shandur plateau — a fitting tribute to one of the greatest finals in the festival’s history.