The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s top first-class cricket tournament, is set to start on 26 October. The four-day competition, which was facing some uncertainty with regards to its scheduling will feature 18 teams from 16 regions and will run until the 19th of December.
Participating teams include Abbottabad, AJK, Bahawalpur, Dera Murad Jamali, Faisalabad, FATA, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Karachi Blues, Karachi Whites, Lahore Blues, Lahore Whites, Larkana, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi, and Sialkot regions.
In a press release, Abdullah Khurram Niazi, the Director of Domestic Cricket Operations stated, “Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is the pinnacle of domestic cricket in Pakistan as it is not just a tournament but also an event that showcases the immense talent across the country and prepares them for the challenges of international cricket. As always, we will continue to provide the best possible platform for players to excel and show their capabilities on the biggest stage in domestic cricket as they will be rubbing their shoulders with the best players of the country. Earlier we demonstrated a successful Champions One-Day Cup, and are fully committed to strengthening our domestic structure. The successful execution of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy remains at the heart of this commitment.”
Karachi Region Whites, captained by Sarfaraz Ahmed, will be the defending champions this year following a dominant 456-run victory over Faisalabad Region in the final held at Gaddafi Stadium last year.