LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday unveiled the new dates for the upcoming Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. “Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament, will begin from October 26. Eighteen teams from the 16 regions will participate in the four-day tournament that will conclude on December 19,” the PCB said in a statement.

The 18 teams include Abbottabad Region, AJK Region, Bahawalpur Region, Dera Murad Jamali Region, Faisalabad Region, FATA Region, Hyderabad Region, Islamabad Region, Karachi Region Blues, Karachi Region Whites, Lahore Region Whites, Lahore Region Blues, Larkana Region, Multan Region, Peshawar Region, Quetta Region, Rawalpindi Region and Sialkot Region.

Karachi Region Whites will defend their title this year, having won the tournament last year under Sarfaraz Ahmed by defeating Faisalabad Region in the final by 456 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium from 22 to 26 October 2023. “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,” Abdullah Khurram Niazi, the Director of Domestic Cricket Operations stated.