The highly-anticipated final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023-24 will feature Faheem Ashraf-led Faisalabad and Sarfaraz Ahmed-led Karachi Whites. This clash, scheduled to take place from 22 to 26 October at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, promises to be a fierce contest, with both teams vying for the prestigious first-class title. This tournament is of particular significance as it marks the first premier tournament completed since the restoration of the domestic structure under the PCB Constitution of 2014.
In the previous edition of the trophy, which was played prior to the reinstitution of the 2014 PCB Constitution, Northern emerged as champions. Under the leadership of Umar Amin, Northern defeated Sindh, captained by Khurram Manzoor, in the final at Gaddafi Stadium, winning by an innings and 55 runs. Season standouts included Northern’s Mohammad Huraira and Mubasir Khan and Sindh’s spinner Abrar Ahmed, who earned a national call-up after taking 43 wickets in 12 innings.
In the current season, eight regional teams competed in the round-robin stage of the tournament. Faisalabad, with 108 points and three wins, claimed the top position. Karachi Whites secured the second spot with 100 points and two wins, narrowly missing out on a berth in the final. Lahore Blues finished closely behind, with 99 points and two wins.
Both Faisalabad and Karachi Whites have performed exceptionally throughout the season. Their captains, Faheem Ashraf and Sarfaraz Ahmed, are experienced cricketers. Faheem has represented Pakistan in 16 Tests and has 73 first-class appearances, while Sarfaraz, the former Pakistan Test captain, has played 53 Tests and 179 first-class games.
Karachi Whites have seen outstanding performances this season. Sarfaraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq have led the way with the bat. Sarfaraz amassed 579 runs in six matches, including three half-centuries and two centuries, including a remarkable double century against Lahore Whites. Asad Shafiq has scored 532 runs in seven matches, featuring two half-centuries and two centuries. Left-arm spinner Noman Ali has been excellent with 21 wickets in six matches, while left-arm pacer Mir Hamza has been their most successful bowler, claiming 26 wickets.
Faisalabad has also witnessed some remarkable performances. Right-arm pacer Khurram Shahzad has taken 31 wickets in seven matches at an average of 18.13, and right-arm pacer Mohammad Ali has picked up 24 wickets. Batsmen like Mohammad Huraira and Ali Waqas have played vital roles in Faisalabad’s campaign.
Sahibzada Farhan of Peshawar currently leads the run charts with a stunning 847 runs, including two half-centuries and three centuries, one of which was a double century. Multan’s Zain Abbas is another top performer, accumulating 665 runs, including three half-centuries and two centuries.
The final promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams keen to secure the coveted Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title.
Hanif Mohammad Trophy: In the grade-II four-day tournament, rebranded as the Hanif Mohammad Trophy under the new domestic structure, the last round of games will be played from 22 to 25 October. At the end of this 10-team tournament, the top team will qualify for the next season of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, while FATA, having finished last in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, will be relegated to the grade-II tournament.
The top run-scorer of the tournament so far is Bahawalpur’s Mohammad Ammar with 510 runs, followed by Abdul Wahid Bangalzai from Quetta with 470 runs. The highest wicket-taker is Jalat Khan from Quetta and Jawad Ali from Hyderabad, both with 37 wickets each. Shayan Sheikh, representing Islamabad, is close behind with 36 wickets in six matches.
The fixtures for the last round of the super-four stage of the Hanif Mohammad Trophy are as follows:
- Quetta v Islamabad at Multan Cricket Stadium
- Abbottabad v Hyderabad at Sheikh Khalifa Sports Complex, Rahim Yar Khan
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