KARACHI – The 68th edition of Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will culminate with the five-day final between Sialkot and Peshawar from 2-6 January at the UBL Sports Complex, Karachi.
Peshawar and Sialkot have made it to the top after completion of 45 group matches and three triangular stage matches. Among the six-team three groups at the start of the tournament, Peshawar were placed in Group B while Sialkot were stationed in Group C.
Peshawar topped their group with three wins and two draws out of five matches and in the two triangular stage fixtures they won one and lost one. Sialkot have been unbeaten in the tournament as they won three and drew two of their group games while their two triangular stage fixtures included a win and a draw.
Left-hand batter Azan Awais stands out among the batters with 807 runs in seven matches in his maiden first-class season, inclusive of four centuries, two half-centuries and a highest score of 203 not out. For Peshawar Maaz Sadaqat has scored the most runs with 557 in five matches including one century and five-half centuries.
On the bowling front, Islamabad’s Musa Khan stands tall with 38 wickets – seven best of the second placed Ahmed Bashir – in five matches. For Peshawar pacer Niaz Khan has bagged 30 scalps in seven games at an average of 22.43. Sialkot’s Test fast bowler Mohammad Ali has the most wickets for his team – 22 in four matches at 15.95.
Sajid Khan, Peshawar Captain: “Peshawar has a number of proven match winners in the side and we look forward to put our best step forward during the all-important final. The conditions are different from where we have played our group and triangular stage matches but I trust my side to adjust to the varying conditions.”
Amad Butt, Sialkot Captain: “We have had a very good season both with the bat and ball and the target is to finish it on a high as winners of the prestigious Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. It will surely be a great feeling to lead Sialkot to our third QeA trophy title.
