Misbah-ul-Haq, Ahmad To Feature In Quaid Trophy
Zeeshan Mehtab Published January 10, 2019 | 11:32 PM
One of Pakistan's most decorated former cricket captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, will be one of the star attraction of the three-day Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Grade-II,which will commence from tomorrow (Friday) across the country
The 44-year-old veteran of 276 international matches and a scorer of 11,132 international runs will represent Faisalabad Region, which will be one of the 10 sides that will go head to head in the tournament which carries total prize money of PKR 950,000.
Apart from Faisalabad other regional sides taking part in the tournament include Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Bahawalpur, Dera Murad Jamali, Hyderabad, Larkana, Abbottabad, Sialkot, Quetta and Karachi Blues.
The teams have been divided into two groups, with Group A comprising Bahawalpur, Sialkot, Faisalabad, AJK and Hyderabad.Their matches will be played at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad and Mirpur Stadium, Azad Jammu Kashmir.
Teams in Group B are Abbottabad, Quetta, Larkana, Karachi Blues and D.M Jamali, and their matches will be played in Karachi at the National Bank of Pakistan Ground, State Bank of Pakistan Ground and United Bank Limited sports Complex.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, which will be played simultaneously from 1 to 3 February at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, and Mirpur Stadium, AJK, respectively.
The final of the tournament will be played at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, from February 6 to 9.
As per the existing domestic cricket rules, relegation and promotion will apply; the tournament winner will seal a berth in the next edition of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Grade I tournament.
Faisalabad region have a real star power in their ranks with Test icon Misbah-ul-Haq leading their campaign. He will be supported by opener Ahmad Shahzad is also making a return to competitive cricket.
Misbah said he was keen to help Faisalabad move into the Grade-I competition.
"The biggest motivation for me is to help Faisalabad regain their Grade-I spot. We were relegated last season and our aim is to qualify for first-class cricket again; this is what we can strive to do for our region." Misbah is also keen on transferring his experience to the upcoming players in the arena. He is also hopeful that competitive cricket in this event will help him in HBL PSL 2019 in which he will represent Peshawar Zalmi.
"Such events also provide an opportunity to work with younger players, to spend time with them to work on their game and transfer experience. On a personal note the tournament should help me prepare for the HBL PSL," he admitted.
Misbah said he was glad to have Ahmad Shahzad in his side and felt this tournament was a good platform for the opener to regain his lost touch.
"I feel that the tournament will help Ahmad Shahzad get back into form, regain his confidence and prepare for the HBL PSL 2019. The three-day tournaments provide a great opportunity of spending a long time at the crease and improving one's game." Meanwhile, Ahmad himself was raring to return to the cricket field and was hopeful of making a big impact ahead of an action-packed cricketing year.
"The last few months were very tough for me; I badly missed playing cricket especially since the sport is a childhood passion of mine and an integral part of my life. I am more focused than ever and have worked hard on improving my mindset and other aspects of the game." "I am really looking forward to representing Faisalabad.
Grade II is a platform from where a lot of players have emerged and I am eager to deliver to the best of my ability for my team." Tournament Prize Money: Winner, Rs 500,000, runners-up, Rs250,000, player of the final Rs 50,000, best batsman, Rs 50,000, best bowler Rs50,000, Best wicketkeeper Rs 50,000.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
More Stories From Sports
-
Rashid Latif for arranging Pakhtunkhwa Super League
5 hours ago -
Shadab Khan upbeat about lifting ICC T20I WC 2024
7 hours ago -
Ruben Amorim: Portugal's next coaching superstar, tipped for Liverpool
10 hours ago -
Sports Complex of FDA City opened for its members
11 hours ago -
VC IUB inaugurates Intervarsity Judo Championship
11 hours ago -
Australian Open Junior Squash medalists warmly welcome on arrival Peshawar
12 hours ago
-
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
13 hours ago -
Mardan, Peshawar wins Girls, Boys titles in Prime Minister Youth Talent Hunt Table Tennis League
13 hours ago -
Bismah, Sadia, Hani progress in ICC Women’s Rankings
13 hours ago -
Central Asian Volleyball League in Islamabad next month
14 hours ago -
UN urges UK to reconsider Rwanda deportation plan
14 hours ago -
Hockey Men’s Nations Cup from May 31
14 hours ago