The 2024-25 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s premier domestic first-class competition, is set to begin on October 26.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the schedule following a delay, confirming that 18 teams, representing 16 regions, will participate this season.
Eighteen-Team Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Set to Start on October
Defending champions Karachi Whites will be among the contenders. The tournament’s final will take place on December 19, just ahead of Pakistan’s Test series against South Africa.
This year’s expansion to 18 teams is a significant departure from the previous structure. In the past five years, the tournament featured a limited number of teams, with only eight participating last year and six in prior editions.
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Lahore and Karachi will each field two teams, reflecting the PCBs efforts to provide more players with opportunities to showcase their talent.
PCB’s Commitment to Domestic Structure
Abdullah Niazi, PCB’s Director of Domestic Operations, emphasised the importance of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in developing players for international cricket.
“The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is the pinnacle of domestic cricket in Pakistan. It prepares players for the challenges of international cricket by allowing them to compete with the best in the country,” Niazi said in a statement.
He highlighted the PCB’s success in the Champions One-Day Cup and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing the domestic structure.
Preparations for South Africa Tour
The timing of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy coincides with Pakistan’s busy home Test season.
Pakistan vice-captain Saud Shakeel suggested that the first-class competition could help players prepare for the upcoming tour of South Africa.
Shakeel stressed the importance of simulating challenging conditions through practice and domestic matches.
He mentioned, “If we prepare pitches similar to those in South Africa during first-class matches, it will help us get ready for the series.”
With the tournament running until mid-December, it is expected to serve as a crucial platform for aspiring cricketers aiming to break into the national team.
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