The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a rescheduling of the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QEAT) 2024-25 triangular stage to accommodate the inaugural Champions T20 Cup, which will be held from December 7 to 25 in Rawalpindi.
Introduced earlier this year as part of PCB’s new domestic tournaments, the Champions T20 Cup will feature a competitive format aimed at raising the level of domestic cricket. To facilitate this, the QEAT triangular stage, originally set to begin on November 26, will now be split into two phases.
The first two matches of the triangular stage will take place in Abbottabad, while the final stage and the championship match will be held after the Champions T20 Cup, from December 27 to 31, with the five-day final scheduled for January 2-6, 2025. Venues for these matches will be announced later.
In a statement, PCB shared its rationale for the change:
“To ensure all domestic players have the opportunity to compete in the much-awaited Champions T20 Cup, the final round matches of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy have been rescheduled.”
Champions T20 Cup Details
The five-team tournament will include 22 matches, featuring a mix of six double-headers and eight single-headers. The competition will be played in a “cut-throat format,” designed to heighten intensity and excitement.
Under the format, the team finishing at the top of the table after the double-league stage will directly qualify for the final. Meanwhile, the second and third-placed teams will face off in a Qualifier for the remaining final spot.
Platform for Emerging Talent
The Champions T20 Cup serves as a stage for emerging domestic talent, offering them the chance to showcase their skills. Performances in this tournament will provide selectors with insights into promising players who could be developed for Pakistan’s national team. Additionally, standout performers may catch the attention of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises as they prepare for the 2025 season and beyond.
Tournament Schedule
Here’s the complete schedule for the Champions T20 Cup:
- Sat, Dec 7: Stallions vs. Panthers (11 am); Nurpur Lions vs. UMT Markhors (3:30 pm)
- Sun, Dec 8: Panthers vs. Dolphins (12 pm)
- Mon, Dec 9: Stallions vs. Lions (12 pm)
- Tues, Dec 10: Dolphins vs. Markhors (12 pm)
- Wed, Dec 11: Lions vs. Panthers (12 pm)
- Thurs, Dec 12: Stallions vs. Markhors (11 am); Dolphins vs. Lions (3:30 pm)
- Fri, Dec 13: Panthers vs. Markhors (11 am); Stallions vs. Dolphins (3:30 pm)
- Sun, Dec 15: Stallions vs. Panthers (11 am); Lions vs. Markhors (3:30 pm)
- Mon, Dec 16: Panthers vs. Dolphins (12 pm)
- Tues, Dec 17: Stallions vs. Lions (12 pm)
- Wed, Dec 18: Dolphins vs. Markhors (12 pm)
- Thurs, Dec 19: Lions vs. Panthers (12 pm)
- Fri, Dec 20: Stallions vs. Markhors (11 am); Dolphins vs. Lions (3:30 pm)
- Sat, Dec 21: Panthers vs. Markhors (11 am); Stallions vs. Dolphins (3:30 pm)
- Mon, Dec 23: Qualifier (2nd vs. 3rd) (3:30 pm)
- Wed, Dec 25: FINAL (3:30 pm)
The PCB’s decision underscores its commitment to nurturing cricket at all levels while ensuring competitive exposure for domestic players.
