Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is set to have a new champion as last season’s finalists Northern take on Sindh in the five-day final here at the headquarters of Pakistan cricket, Gaddafi Stadium, from Saturday, Nov 26.
Northern have been the finalist twice since the revamp of the domestic system in 2019-20. They would be hoping to make it a case of third time lucky after losing out on the title both in 2019-20 and 2021-22 seasons.
Sindh are appearing in their first final under the revamped system. They will be looking forward to clinch second title in this season, after winning their maiden National T20 Cup, held earlier this year in Multan. The five-day Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final will be streamed live on the Pakistan Cricket Board’s YouTube channel and broadcast live on PTV Sports. The toss will take place at 0900, while the first ball will be bowled at 0930. This is also the first final to be staged at the GSL since under the new domestic system, Karachi’s National Stadium (now known as the National Bank Cricket Arena) staged the last three Quaid-e-Azam Trophy finals.
Both sides will be missing some key performers in the final as Pakistan’s Test squad begins prepara-tions for the series against England. Northern’s captain Nauman Ali, Sindh captain Saud Shakeel, wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed and spinners Abrar Ahmed and Zahid Mehmood would all be engaged as members of the Test squad.
Despite the absence of some seasoned and top performers of the ongoing season, the final is set to produce riveting cricket with the teams competing for the historic tournament trophy and the winners’ purse of PKR 10,000,000. —APP
