Lake Charles Kings Win T-20 Louisiana Cricket Association Championship

Lake Charles, La. – In a dramatic finish at the Enos Derbonne Sports Complex, the Lake Charles Kings captured the Louisiana T-20 Cricket Association Championship, edging the KPK Cricket Club in a rematch that came down to the final overs.

The title showdown, held under clear skies, saw KPK set a daunting target of 193 runs in their first inning. Undeterred, the Kings answered with composure and precision, completing the chase in walk-off fashion after 18 overs to seal their first championship after falling short a year ago.

Captain Khaja Moinuddin, who has steered the Kings for more than a decade, said the victory erased last season’s disappointment. “We are all excited and very happy about the event. We have been trying to chase this. Last year we came very close, but this year we made it through, and it’s a wonderful feeling now.”

Louisiana Cricket Association president and Kings teammate Avan Waqar praised the squad’s resilience. “It was an amazing final—a tough game—but I think our players showed that they are the best players in the league. Everybody is scared of us, so they can stay scared of us.”

The T-20 format features two innings of 20 overs apiece, with 11-player sides aiming to compile the highest run total. While casual observers often liken cricket to baseball, differences in pitching style, field dimensions, and scoring methods set the sports apart.

The 10-team Louisiana Cricket Association stretches from Lake Charles to Mississippi, and the Kings hope their triumph will accelerate the sport’s growth across Southwest Louisiana. Plans include school outreach and youth clinics designed to introduce local children to cricket’s fundamentals.

“We want to work with local schools, bring the local kids, and try to explain to them how the game works,” Waqar explained. “It is very similar to baseball, but they are a bit different.”

Longtime member Ahmed Nawaz echoed the desire to inspire the next generation, even if cricket remains absent from school athletic programs. “We hope and we wish, but as there is no schooling with cricket here, it is very hard. But we will even be happy if they become baseball or any kind of athlete.”

With the championship trophy now in their possession, the Kings intend to build on the momentum, aiming to broaden cricket’s footprint while defending their hard-earned crown next season.