Uncertainty remains about the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2024-25 schedule, while the Pakistan Cricket Board had issued a preliminary schedule suggesting that play would start on October 20. This is a troubling development because Pakistan’s international Test season has already begun and the seven home Test matches are scheduled to take place between August 2024 and January 2025.
All dates for domestic competition were announced by the PCB back in August, but none are confirmed, including the QeA Trophy. Despite a PCB official saying back in September that the tournament was going to begin on time, ESPNcricinfo discovers no one in the PCB has the slightest idea when it is going to start. The schedule simply sits idle awaiting the seal of approval from chairman Mohsin Naqvi, and there has been no public explanation as to why it’s being kept in limbo, though budgetary considerations might well be part of the reason.
It is particularly frustrating for members of the Test squad who have been deprived of vital red-ball practice ahead of their crucial Test series, including the ongoing series against England. The Champions One-Day Cup in September, although well promoted, did not help as it did not coincide with the red-ball preparation.
The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy witnessed uncertainties in schedule and format in the past, but the kind of uncertainty witnessed now is unprecedented. Normally, this tournament would have started by late October. In the last two seasons, it began as early as 1st September. Now, both fans and players are eagerly waiting to hear a word from officials, which affects the preparations for a crammed international calendar for Pakistan.
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