LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to postpone the tri-leg of its first-class tournament, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QEAT) 2024-25, to accommodate the newly introduced T20 Champions Trophy.
The T20 tournament, part of the Champions League, introduced by the Cricket Board earlier this year, will be held from December 7 to 25 in Rawalpindi.
In a bid to accommodate the inaugural edition of the T20 Champions Trophy, the triangular stage of the current QEAT tournament, scheduled to begin on November 26, will be played in two phases.
As a result, the first two matches of the decisive stage will be held in Abbottabad, while the remaining match and the final will be held after the conclusion of the new tournament.
“To ensure that all the domestic players get the opportunity to compete in the much-awaited T20 Champions Trophy, the PCB has rescheduled the final round matches of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy,” the PCB shared in a statement.
The statement added: “The final match of the triangular stage between Lahore Whites and Sialkot will be held from December 27 to 31, followed by the five-day final from January 2 to 6. The venues for these matches will be announced in due course.” .
The Cricket Board also shared the schedule for the five-team tournament, consisting of 22 matches, including six double-headers and eight single-headers.
The Champions T20 T20 will be played in a “very new format” to enhance the intensity of the competition.
According to the system, the top of the table after the double-league stage will qualify directly to the final, while the second and third-placed teams will face off in the qualifiers.
The tournament format will also serve as a platform for emerging talents to showcase their skills, providing selectors with valuable insights into players who can be groomed for the national team.
Moreover, quality players may attract the attention of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as they prepare for the 2025 season and beyond.
T20 Champions Trophy Schedule
Saturday, December 7: Stallions vs. Panthers (11 a.m.); Norpur Lions – UMT Markurs (3:30 p.m.)
Sunday, December 8: Panthers vs. Dolphins (12 noon)
Monday, December 9: Stallions vs. Lions (12 noon)
Tuesday 10 December: Dolphins vs Markurs (12pm)
Wednesday 11 December: Lions vs Panthers (12 noon)
Thursday, December 12: Stallions vs. Marcors (11 a.m.); Dolphins vs. Lions (3:30 p.m.)
Friday, December 13: Panthers vs. Marquards (11 a.m.); Stallions vs. Dolphins (3:30 p.m.)
Sunday, December 15: Stallions vs. Panthers (11 a.m.); Lions vs Markurs (3:30 p.m.)
Monday, December 16: Panthers vs. Dolphins (12 noon)
Tuesday, December 17: Stallions vs. Lions (12 noon)
Wednesday 18 December: Dolphins vs Markurs (12pm)
Thursday 19 December: Lions vs Panthers (12 noon)
Friday, December 20: Stallions vs. Marcors (11 a.m.); Dolphins vs. Lions (3:30 p.m.)
Saturday, December 21: Panthers vs. Marquards (11 a.m.); Stallions vs. Dolphins (3:30 p.m.)
Monday, December 23: Playoffs (second-placed team vs. third-placed team) (3:30 p.m.)
Wednesday 25 December: Final (3:30 pm)