The wind of change’s final whistle: Islamabad cricket is about to change. JJ Group ended the two decades of governance of Shakeel Ahmed Sheikh in Islamabad. But this was not a day-long tale; it took a long time to rise. The kingdom of Shakeel Sheikh, in the end, was reduced to ashes. Throughout the election, and even in the final results, the opposition was completely washed out as the JJ Group claimed a historic victory.
JJ Group started the journey in 2022, when they appeared publicly in opposition. It was the start of a journey that resulted today in a clean sweep for the JJ Group. This was not only the win of Mr. Junaid Akhtar; for sure, it was his vision. But the one name that always needs to be praised for this change is Mr. Imran Ilyaz. He is one of the only names in Islamabad who always stood tall with everyone whose club was looted.
In all four seasons, the competition was one-sided. The groundwork by Imran was brilliant in taking Islamabad cricket into safe hands. But the zone everyone was keen on was the North Zone. This is the zone where Muhammad Umar Shabbir was the strongest Alley to JJ GROUP
The North Zone delivered one of the most decisive verdicts of the election and became a symbol of the sweeping momentum behind the JJ Group. The panel secured a commanding 13–1 victory, electing Younas Masih as President and Yasir Mehmood as Treasurer. The overwhelming mandate reflected not only the growing organizational strength of the JJ Group but also the confidence that affiliated clubs had placed in its vision for the future of Islamabad cricket.
The result was far more than a numerical triumph. It represented a clear vote for change, demonstrating that the JJ Group’s message of unity, reform, and accountable leadership had resonated throughout the North Zone. Months of careful planning, grassroots engagement, and disciplined campaigning had culminated in an emphatic electoral mandate, dealing a significant blow to the opposition.
One of the defining moments of the North Zone election came in the contest for the post of Secretary. Muhammad Umar Shabbir entered the race not merely to secure a position, but to demonstrate that leadership is earned through preparation, strategy, and hard work rather than inherited influence.
The challenge carried added significance. His father, Mr. Shabbir Ahmed, the former President of the North Zone and a respected figure in Islamabad cricket, was out of the country throughout the campaign. Many within cricket circles believed that, without his father’s presence, the young candidate would struggle to withstand the political pressure. Some dismissed him as inexperienced, convinced he could be defeated with ease.
Those assumptions proved to be a costly miscalculation.
Working quietly behind the scenes, Muhammad Umar Shabbir meticulously planned every aspect of the campaign. Every club was approached, every vote was valued, and every detail was carefully managed. The organizational strength of the JJ Group was evident throughout the process, while the strategic guidance of Imran Ilyas helped translate planning into an overwhelming electoral performance.
When the ballots were counted, the result sent shockwaves through Islamabad cricket. Muhammad Umar Shabbir was elected Secretary by a commanding 13–1 margin out of 14 votes, mirroring the decisive mandate secured by the rest of the North Zone panel. The verdict left virtually no room for doubt—the only vote his opponent managed to secure was widely believed to be his own.
The North Zone results became one of the earliest and clearest indicators that the political landscape of Islamabad cricket had fundamentally changed. With commanding victories for Younas Masih, Yasir Mehmood, and Muhammad Umar Shabbir, the JJ Group demonstrated that it possessed not only the numbers to win but also the organization, unity, and leadership to challenge an establishment that had dominated Islamabad cricket for more than two decades. It was in the North Zone that the first major cracks appeared in the kingdom—and from there, the wave of change spread across every corner of Islamabad cricket.
At last, the election was held in the home of Sheikh, where defeat meant a clean sweep in Islamabad cricket. Things went exactly the way JJ Group wanted. It was a defeat that vanished the darkest chapter of Islamabad cricket and lit up the beacon of hope for the future stars.
JJ Group wrote history with a clean sweep on merit across Islamabad. They not only won all the seats but are now eligible for the District position, which will lead to the Board of Governors of the Pakistan Cricket Board. It will be interesting to watch who will be the JJ Group candidate for the District position. It won’t be a surprise if that seat goes to someone other than Junaid Akhtar and Imran. They have not taken any major position, nor has anyone from their family. It will be a historic decision and an interesting one as well.
The Final Blow: JJ Group’s Complete Takeover
By the time the final results were announced, one fact had become undeniable: this was not just an election victory—it was a complete political takeover of Islamabad cricket.
The JJ Group showcased its full organizational strength, sweeping across every major zone with commanding majorities. The West Zone fell decisively into the group’s hands, while the Central Zone—long considered the fortress and political heartland of Shakeel Sheikh—was won with an emphatic majority, symbolizing the collapse of a stronghold that had stood for decades.
In the East Zone, the result was even more telling. The JJ Group’s candidates were elected unopposed, reflecting the confidence and unity they had built among the affiliated clubs. The momentum extended beyond Islamabad as the group also secured victory in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), completing an unprecedented electoral sweep.
Such dominance was not the product of chance. Behind the scenes, months of tireless planning, coordination, and grassroots campaigning had laid the foundation for this success. The relentless efforts of Junaid Akhtar,and Imran Ilyas together with countless workers and supporters, proved instrumental in uniting clubs, strengthening alliances, and executing a disciplined campaign that overwhelmed the opposition.
The Fall of a Kingdom
For more than two decades, Shakeel Sheikh’s influence shaped the politics of Islamabad cricket. Many believed that his network was too deeply entrenched to be challenged. Yet history has shown that no political empire is permanent.
The 2026 elections became more than a contest for office—they became a referendum on the future of Islamabad cricket. Club after club voted for change, rejecting the old order and placing their trust in a new generation of leadership led by the JJ Group.
The fall of a kingdom did not happen in a single day. It was the culmination of years of frustration, persistent organization, strategic leadership, and the determination of individuals who believed that Islamabad cricket deserved a different future.
With victories across every major zone, the JJ Group did not merely win an election—it rewrote the political map of Islamabad cricket. The ballots spoke louder than slogans, and the verdict was decisive.
An era had ended.
A new chapter had begun.
Whether this historic mandate ultimately transforms Islamabad cricket will be judged by the years ahead. But one truth is already written into its history: in 2026, the kingdom fell, and a new generation rose to take its place.
