Pakistani cricketing star Ijaz Ahmed was the guest of honour at the final of the Western Union Cup final which saw North Manchester CC overcome Kashmir CC of Dewsbury.

North Manchester proved too strong from the start for Kashmir, who won the toss and decided to bat first.

They lost early wickets including their captain, and leading batsman, Shoaib Latif, who fell to the bowling of Sadaqat Shehzad.

Man of the Match, Abdul Aqeel, was the pick of the bowlers taking five wickets for 23 runs, reducing Kashmir to 116 all out. In reply, North Manchester lost a couple of early wickets, including key batsman Zia Ur Rehmen, who was later named Western Union Man of the Series. Mohammad Ali steadied the ship and top scored with 43 not out. North Manchester reached the 117 target for the loss of four wickets.

North Manchester's acting captain, Mazhar Saeed, said, "It was a great team effort and it was a great feeling lifting the Western Union Cup. I would like to thank all the players who have worked extremely hard this season to make us Western Union Cup champions. I would also like thank all our supporters who travelled to final and cheered us on."

Western Union Cup patron Ijaz Ahmed said, "The Western Union Cup is a great competition. I was proud to be asked to be its patron. The final was a great occasion and both teams played extremely well. I would like to congratulate North Manchester on winning the Western Union Cup 2003, and offer my thanks to Kashmir for making it such a well fought match."

Mohammad Khalil, captain of Kashmir added, "It was a tough final and North Manchester were too good for us on the day. We have given it everything throughout the Cup and to make it to the final is a great achievement."