Lahore: The 68th edition of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is set to commence on October 6, featuring a fierce competition among 10 regional teams, including defending champions Sialkot. Matches will be played across five venues in four cities, with Sialkot aiming to retain their title after a narrow victory over Peshawar in the previous edition.

The tournament will see Sialkot and Peshawar face off once again in the opening round at the Imran Khan Stadium in Peshawar. Other matches are scheduled in Abbottabad, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a prize of PKR 7.5 million for the tournament winner, while the runner-up will receive PKR 4 million. Additionally, each player of the match in the league games will earn PKR 25,000, with further awards for the final’s standout performers.

Teams like FATA, Faisalabad, Karachi Blues, and Multan have joined from the Hanif Mohammad Trophy, while Abbottabad, Bahawalpur, Peshawar, Sialkot, Lahore Whites, and Islamabad were top performers in the last edition.

The tournament spans 46 matches, with several fixtures, including the final, to be live-streamed on the PCB YouTube Channel. This initiative aims to engage cricket fans with domestic cricket action.

In a move to nurture young talent, all teams must include at least one U21 player in their playing XI. Teams have the flexibility to select players from the national duty roster and reserves as needed.

The first round fixtures will feature Abbottabad against Bahawalpur, Lahore Whites versus Islamabad, and Faisalabad against Karachi Blues, among others. The matchups in Peshawar and Islamabad will be available for live streaming, offering fans a chance to witness the action as it unfolds.