Lahore: The Hanif Mohammad Trophy, a non-first-class four-day cricket tournament, is set to commence on Friday, marking a month-long competition among 12 regional teams vying for two coveted spots in the prestigious Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. The tournament will unfold across four cities in Pakistan, promising an intense display of regional cricket talent.

The participating teams are divided into two groups. Group A includes Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Faisalabad, Hyderabad, Karachi Whites, Lahore Blues, and Quetta. Matches for this group will be hosted at Multan Cricket Stadium, Abbasia Sports Complex in Rahim Yar Khan, and Dring Stadium in Bahawalpur.

Group B comprises Dera Murad Jamali, FATA, Karachi Blues, Larkana, Multan, and Rawalpindi. Their matches will take place at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium, SBP Sports Complex, and UBL Sports Complex.

The tournament will feature five rounds of six matches each, running from August 29 to September 25, with a two-day rest period between rounds. The top two teams from each group will secure qualification for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26, slated to begin in October.

The first round of matches will see Faisalabad face Lahore Blues at Multan Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad take on Karachi Whites at Abbasia Sports Complex, and Quetta go up against Azad Jammu and Kashmir at Dring Stadium.

In Group B, Rawalpindi will compete against FATA at National Bank Stadium, Karachi Blues will meet Multan at SBP Sports Complex, and Dera Murad Jamali will challenge Larkana at UBL Sports Complex.

The squads for each region have been announced, with experienced players leading the teams under the guidance of seasoned coaches. The competition promises to be a significant opportunity for players to showcase their skills and earn a place in Pakistan’s premier cricket tournament.