Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final to be under lights
The final, on January 3, 2016, of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will be played under floodlights of National Stadium, Karachi – Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament. The final was initially a day affair but was later changed into a day/night game following Cricket Australia’s request to Pakistan for their second day/night test match when Pakistan will travel to their country for a full series later in 2016. Earlier in 2010/11, Pakistan Cricket Board staged its first ever day/night first class game using an orange ball under the lights of National Stadium, Karachi. Habib Bank Limited (HBL) then beat Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) by five wickets to win the premier trophy. Then in the next season 2011/12, the final between ZTBL and PIA was played using a pink ball under lights.
United Bank Limited (UBL) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) will be contesting in this year’s final, both topped their groups after the Super-8 stage of the trophy. The final, as described, earlier will be played in Hyderabad and under lights from January 3-7, 2016. Pakistan Cricket Board has summoned UBL and SNGPL players in the on-going fitness camp for New Zealand to join their teams for the final to ensure a fierce competition. Both the teams are studded with international stars. Misbah-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Taufeeq Umar, Mohammad Rizwan, Umar Akmal, Younis Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Shan Masood, Hammad Azam, Asad Ali, Hammad Azam, Bilawal Bhatti, Ehsan Adil, Saad Nasim, Mir Hamza and Adnan Akmal will be action for the final. Azhar Ali will lead SNGPL while Younis Khan will be the commander-in-chief for UBL.
United Bank has reached its 10th final but the last time they reached the final was in 1989/90 under legend off-spinner Tauseef Ahmed. From 1980-90 UBL reached a RECORD eight finals, but won only three. The last time they won the trophy was in 1984/85.
SNGPL will feature in its third final. They were victorious in the last finals they played in 2007/08 and are also the reigning champions of 2014/15 season.
The final will be telecast live on Pakistan’s national sports channel, PTV Sports. The play will begin at 02:00 p.m. and will continue until 09:00 p.m. Players will be served tea and dinner instead of lunch. The first interval will be fir tea of 20 minutes and the second interval will be of 40 minutes for dinner. The match will be played with a pink Kookaburra ball.
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