Zurich Mavericks Garhwal Crowned Inaugural Champions
Swiss domestic cricket entered a new era in 2026 with the introduction of the Cricket Switzerland T10 Championship, a club-owned franchise competition designed to bring together some of the best cricketing talent from across the country.
The inaugural championship delivered five days of high-quality, fast-paced cricket at Embrach Cricket Ground, culminating in a historic victory for Zurich Mavericks Garhwal, who defeated Basel Afghan by 37 runs in the final to become the first-ever champions of the competition.
A New Era for Domestic Cricket
The Cricket Switzerland T10 Championship represents an important development in the structure of domestic cricket in Switzerland. Moving beyond the traditional club-based format, the new competition introduced a franchise model in which Cricket Switzerland member clubs were awarded franchise teams.
Under this structure, clubs were given the opportunity to assemble competitive squads by recruiting players from across Switzerland. The model created opportunities for established players to compete alongside emerging talent while bringing together cricketers from different clubs and regions.
The six franchises participating in the inaugural 2026 championship were:
- Zurich Alpine Warriors
- Sports Club Roche
- Olten CC
- Zurich Mavericks Garhwal
- Basel Afghan CC
- Swiss Dragons
Each franchise represented a Cricket Switzerland member club and was given the opportunity to build a squad capable of competing for the championship.
The new structure provided clubs with an opportunity to demonstrate their organisational capabilities, while giving players a platform to test themselves against a broader pool of talent. For supporters, it introduced a new and dynamic form of domestic cricket centred on the intensity and entertainment of the T10 format.
A Historic Opening on Swiss National Day
The inaugural Cricket Switzerland T10 Championship began on 1 August 2026 at Embrach Cricket Ground.
The opening day coincided with Swiss National Day, providing a fitting backdrop for the launch of a competition that represents a significant milestone in the development of Swiss cricket.
The championship brought together six franchises for 19 matches over five days. Across the competition, teams produced 5,806 runs, including 577 sixes and 347 fours, underlining the attacking nature of the T10 format.
From the opening matches, it was clear that the championship would provide a highly competitive platform for players and an exciting spectacle for supporters.
Explosive Cricket from the Opening Day
The opening day immediately produced a number of outstanding individual performances.
Malyar Stanikzai emerged as one of the leading performers, producing an exceptional all-round contribution. Hassan Ahmad also impressed with a rapid 97 from 29 balls, while Qateel Zabiullah scored 60 from just 20 deliveries.
For Basel Afghan, Abdullah Hamdard and Abdulbasir Zaman made valuable contributions with the bat, scoring 52 and 53 respectively.
Ankush Lal of Zurich Alpine Warriors also made an early impact with both bat and ball, including a five-wicket haul that would become one of the tournament’s best bowling performances.
The opening day’s results established the competitive nature of the championship and set the tone for the days that followed.
Zurich Mavericks Establish Their Authority
Zurich Mavericks Garhwal quickly emerged as one of the strongest teams in the competition.
Their performances were characterised by aggressive batting, disciplined bowling and consistent results. They maintained their unbeaten run as the tournament progressed and established themselves at the top of the standings.
One of the defining performances of the championship came from Malyar Stanikzai, who scored a remarkable 175 from 39 balls. His innings included 23 sixes and demonstrated the extraordinary power-hitting that became a defining feature of the tournament.
He was supported by Numan Ahmadzai, who scored 61 from 22 balls. Together, the pair produced a record-breaking 243-run opening partnership.
Basel Afghan remained close behind in the standings, with Abdullah Hamdard producing a series of impressive performances, including scores of 93 and an unbeaten 52.
The competition between the leading franchises remained intense as the tournament moved towards its decisive stages.
Day Three: The Playoff Race Intensifies
The third day produced another series of high-scoring matches and further strengthened the Mavericks’ position at the top of the standings.
Malyar Stanikzai continued his remarkable tournament with 81 from 23 balls, while Kamran Ahmadzai scored an unbeaten 60 from just 13 deliveries.
Sahil Tarakhil contributed 77 from 23 balls, while Abdullah Hamdard continued his excellent form with an unbeaten 67 from 22 balls.
With the playoffs approaching, Noman Amjad also made a significant impact with the ball, recording figures of 4/13.
As the group stage entered its final phase, the battle for the top four positions became increasingly competitive, with every match carrying significant implications for qualification.
Day Four: Finals Day Confirmed
The final day of the group stage produced a dramatic conclusion to the league phase.
Olten CC made a major statement with two victories, including a commanding performance against Zurich Alpine Warriors in which they scored 206/3.
Noman Amjad was the outstanding performer, scoring an unbeaten 106 from 31 balls. Qismat Zadran provided strong support with 79 from 27 balls.
Zurich Alpine Warriors responded strongly after their defeat to Olten, successfully chasing 148 against Swiss Dragons before defeating Sports Club Roche by nine wickets.
Hassan Ahmad produced another impressive innings, scoring an unbeaten 70 from 20 balls, while Omar Shinwari contributed an unbeaten 66 from 25 deliveries.
Sports Club Roche continued to compete strongly until the end of their campaign, with Rohit Acharya scoring 54 from 20 balls.
At the conclusion of the group stage, four teams secured their places in the knockout phase:
- Zurich Mavericks Garhwal
- Basel Afghan
- Olten CC
- Zurich Alpine Warriors
The stage was set for Finals Day and the first championship title in Cricket Switzerland T10 history.
Finals Day: Zurich Mavericks Make History
The knockout stage provided a fitting conclusion to the inaugural championship.
After five days of intense competition, Zurich Mavericks Garhwal defeated Basel Afghan by 37 runs in the final to become the inaugural Cricket Switzerland T10 Championship champions.
The Mavericks’ success was the result of a consistently strong campaign. Their aggressive approach with the bat, disciplined bowling attack and strong team organisation enabled them to perform when the pressure was at its highest.
Their victory ensured that Zurich Mavericks Garhwal would forever hold a unique place in Swiss cricket history as the first team to lift the Cricket Switzerland T10 Championship trophy.
Malyar Stanikzai: The Tournament’s Outstanding Performer
One of the defining stories of the championship was the remarkable performance of Malyar Stanikzai.
Playing a central role in Zurich Mavericks Garhwal’s title-winning campaign, Stanikzai consistently produced high-impact performances with the bat.
His extraordinary 175 from 39 balls was one of the highlights of the tournament, while his consistency throughout the competition earned him the Most Valuable Player award.
He finished the tournament with:
- 576 runs in seven matches
- 76 sixes
- A strike rate of 371.6
In the final, Stanikzai once again delivered on the biggest stage, scoring an outstanding 124 from just 33 balls to help guide the Mavericks to the championship.
A Tournament Defined by Numbers
The inaugural championship produced impressive statistics that reflected the attacking character of T10 cricket.
The 19 matches generated:
- 5,806 runs
- 577 sixes
- 347 fours
- 192 dismissals
Teams scored at an average rate of approximately 16.1 runs per over, while 84 percent of all runs came from boundaries and sixes.
Despite the emphasis on aggressive batting, bowling remained an important factor. Dot balls accounted for approximately 34 percent of all deliveries, while disciplined bowling performances played a decisive role in several matches.
Batting first also provided a marginal advantage, with teams setting the target winning 56 percent of decided matches.
Outstanding Bowling Performances
The tournament also showcased a strong collection of bowling talent.
Ankush Lal of Zurich Alpine Warriors recorded the best bowling figures of the championship, taking 5/17 from two overs against Basel Afghan.
Sayed Helal of Basel Afghan finished as the leading wicket-taker with 11 wickets.
Noman Amjad also produced an outstanding spell of 4/13, while disciplined bowling performances helped Olten CC successfully defend a total of 136 against Swiss Dragons.
The quality of wicketkeeping and fielding was equally notable. Abdullah Hamdard recorded eight dismissals, while Olten wicketkeeper Shahid Waridu contributed five catches.
A Strong Foundation for the Future
The inaugural Cricket Switzerland T10 Championship has demonstrated the potential of the franchise model to strengthen and expand domestic cricket in Switzerland.
The competition provided member clubs with an opportunity to build and manage competitive franchises, while giving players the chance to compete alongside and against some of the country’s leading talent.
It also created a new platform for supporters to experience domestic cricket through a short, high-intensity format that delivered runs, wickets, close contests and memorable individual performances.
Most importantly, the championship demonstrated the depth and potential of Swiss cricket.
The inaugural edition now has its first champions.
Zurich Mavericks Garhwal: The First Champions
Zurich Mavericks Garhwal will forever be remembered as the inaugural Cricket Switzerland T10 Championship champions.
Their achievement, led by outstanding performances throughout the tournament and a spectacular final, marks the beginning of a new chapter in Swiss domestic cricket.
Cricket Switzerland extends its congratulations to the players, coaches, support staff, officials, volunteers and supporters who contributed to the success of the inaugural championship.
The first edition has established a strong foundation. The franchise model has opened a new pathway for competition and development, and the Cricket Switzerland T10 Championship now has the opportunity to grow into a flagship event on the Swiss domestic cricket calendar.
Six franchises. One championship. A new era for Swiss cricket.
