(Karachi): For the first time in the History of Pakistan Domestic Cricket the final of the premier tournament the Quaid-e-Azam trophy will be played under lights using colored cricket balls. The new playing format is expected to herald a major change in the domestic Cricket structure as it would be the first time that day night cricket will be used in the longer version of the game. HBL and PIA, two of the most successful domestic cricket teams will fight for honors in the final starting from Jan 13th till Jan 17th at National Cricket Stadium. It is also hoped that the day night game will attract large crowds and will help attract heightened interest in the longer version of the domestic game. Faysal Bank Limited will be sponsoring the event which will be their second major tournament after the hugely successful Faysal Bank T-20 tournament held in Lahore during October last year.
The match timings and detail of match officials is as follows:-
1400 1600 Play
1600 1640 Break
1640 1840 Play
1840 1900 Break
1900 2030 Play
Umpires: Riazuddin and Zamir Haider
TV Umpire: Khalid Mahmood Sr.
Reserve Umpire: Kamal Marchant
Referee: Anwar Khan
Scorer: Imran Ali
The teams will compete for a whopping Prize Money. The break-up of which is:
Winner: Rs.1, 000,000/-
Runners up: Rs.500, 000/-
Man of the Final Match: Rs.50, 000/-
Best Batsman: Rs.50, 000/-
Best Bowler: Rs.50, 000/-
Best fielder: Rs.50, 000/-
Best Wicket Keeper: Rs.50, 000/-
Total: Rs.1, 750,000/-
In his comments on the occasion Chairman PCB Mr. Ijaz Butt said, \"This years Quaid-e-Azam trophy final will be a historic moment in Pakistan Domestic Cricket History. For the first time the use of colored cricket balls and the concept of holding a 5 day game under lights will be given a very high profile. This innovation is in line with the initiatives that PCB has been taking to improve the standard of the domestic game in Pakistan. We hope that the people of Karachi enjoy the spectacle of day / night cricket in the longer format of the game and we look forward to an interesting contest between two of the most celebrated teams in Domestic Cricket.
Director General PCB, Mr. Javed Miandad added, \"The holding of the Quaid-e-Azam trophy final under lights and using colored balls is an exciting moment for all concerned. It will give the participating players a chance to become part of history. I would urge all Karachites to come out and also become part of this once in a lifetime moment as there input on the format will be invaluable to us. The success of this event will bode well for our domestic structure as it could have positive implications for holding matches during the summers in Pakistan. I would like to thank Faysal Bank, GEO, and the participating teams for embracing the new playing conditions and we are all looking forward to a thrilling contest\".
For Inf: DG PCB Mr. Javed Miandad will hold a Press Conference along with the captains of HBL and PIA cricket teams at 4:15 PM at National Stadium, Karachi.
