Revamped Quaid Trophy set to take off today. PHOTO: FILE
Big names will be absent but those taking part will be keen to impress the selectors with the full tour of South Africa in sight. Debutants Bahawalpur will be keen to carry on the momentum that saw them reach the semi-finals of the National Twenty20 Cup earlier this month while also winning the under-19 event this year.
“The stakeholders had set a target of fighting for honours in all tournaments,” Bahawalpur region’s head coach Shahid Anwar told The Express Tribune. “We want another strong campaign in the four-day matches to prove that our T20 success wasn’t a fluke. There’s a lot of talent in the region which was hidden for so many years.”
Faisal looking for improved show
Meanwhile, Test-discard Faisal Iqbal, who will be leading Karachi Blues, is looking to have a good tournament after his President’s Trophy campaign was cut short by a hand injury after a century in his opening match.
“I’m hungry to score as many runs as I can to help my side have a strong tournament and bolster my chances of a national comeback,” said Iqbal.
New format, more chances
The 14 teams have been divided into two groups. At the end of the league-phase, the top four from each group will form two more groups where top-placed sides will qualify for the final.
Similarly, the teams who had finished in the bottom three in the first round will form two groups and will go head-to-head in two more groups. The top two teams from those groups will contest another final but not for title.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2012.
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