Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Kicks off today under new setup
Quaid-e-Azam Trophy which is the biggest tournament at the domestic level for Pakistan cricket is scheduled to start in different cities of the country today. The trophy will be played under the new setup this year and a total of 22 teams comprising of several renowned players will be seen in action.
Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is considered as ‘The road to the national cricket team’. What sets this years trophy apart is the fact that it will be played under the new format.
Pakistan Cricket Board, which governs and runs cricket in Pakistan had decided to map out a new format for the tournament after the completion of last year’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. This was done to improve the quality of cricket and create a new setup for this year’s tournament with the aim that it will give the cricket fans a chance to watch matches between fairly balanced sides.
Old Setup
Previously, there was no divisional system in place and there were different domestic events for the regional and departmental teams. Only regions were taking part in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and there was a different trophy called Patron’s Cup for departmental teams. Both the events were played at different times of the year in order to ensure that all the players could play for their regions, as well as for the departments they represent. There were a total of 13 teams in the tournament last year all of which were from different regions.
New Setup
This year Pakistan Cricket Board has divided the teams in to 2 divisions, including ‘Division I’ and ‘Division II’. Both the departmental and regional teams will be playing against each other. Division I consists of 12 teams including 6 teams from different regions of Pakistan and 6 departmental teams. And division II comprises of 10 teams including 7 teams from different regions and 3 departmental teams.
Division I
Division I is based on 12 teams, including 6 teams from different regions. These include Islamabad, Karachi Blues, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-International-Airlines-c831, these were the top 6 teams in last year Patrons cup. Total 67 matches will be played in division I, including 66 league matches and one grand final. Two teams one from the regional sides and one from the departmental sides that do not perform well, will be relegated from the division I in to division II next year.
Division II
Division II is based on 10 teams, including 7 teams from different regions. These are http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Khan-Research-Laboratories-c804, State Bank of Pakistan and Pakistan Television, these were the poor performing 3 teams from last year’s Patrons cup. Total 46 matches will be played in division II, including 45 league matches and a grand final. Two teams one from the regional teams and one from the departmental teams which will perform well, will be upgraded from the division II in to division I next year.
In total 113 four days first class matches will be played in both the division I and division II in this years Quiad-e-Azam Trophy with a total of 22 teams competing against each other.
Sixty seven matches of division I will be played in 11 rounds and 1 final. Total 6 matches will be played in each round.
Forty six matches of division II will also be played in 11 rounds and 1 final but 5 matches will be played in each round.
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