The present Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (sponsored by ABN AMRO) edition is unique from all its predecessors as it separates the first-class teams into two divisions. As two Regional teams have been added to the first-class team list, seven teams occupy the top tier, known as the Gold League, and six the bottom, known as the Silver League.
The Silver League has already been decided --- Karachi Harbour have attained promotion to the Gold division after beating Hyderabad on their home turf at Niaz Stadium. Lahore Ravi finished in third spot and Quetta, Islamabad and Abbottabad wrapped up the standings respectively.
The climax of the season, the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold League, will see last years runners-up Interloop Faisalabad Region (previously known as Faisalabad Region) once again making it to the final. This time they will be up against Sialkot Region who performed well last year as well. Last years champions, Peshawar, have finished the table in fifth spot. Multan have the unenvious honour of becoming the first team to be relegated from the Gold League.
In an earlier League match, the two finalists Interloop Faisalabad and Sialkot met at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad. In an enthralling low-scoring contest, Sialkot scraped through by 4 runs. Put into bat after losing the toss, Sialkot scored 207 with no batsman able to get past 40. Imran Khalid was the pick of the bowlers for Interloop Faisalabad grabbing 6 for 94. In response, Asif Hussains knock of 74 helped Interloop Faisalabad post a total of 200. National Team pace-bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan claimed six wickets for Sialkot. In their second innings, Sialkot managed only 146, with a 40-run 8 wicket stand bringing some sort of respectability to the total. Samiullah Khan and Imran Khalid picked 4 wickets each. Rana Naved was once again the destroyer-in-chief, notching up 5 more wickets to give Sialkot a narrow, yet thrilling victory.
It is hoped that the final will live up to the same exhilaration as the earlier Interloop Faisalabad-Sialkot affair. However, there will be considerable differences going into this particular match. For starters, Rana Naved will most likely be missed as he will probably be on international duty. Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore will be the ideal setting for the final and with millions watching on television and substantial prize money up for grabs, the players will no doubt be motivated to perform to their optimum best. In addition, it will provide the opportunity for some of the first-class players to showcase their talents to the large British media contingent in Lahore covering the Bank Alfalah Cup Pakistan vs England Series. Who knows -- one of them might just earn a county contract for next summer?
The 5-day final will commence at 10:00 AM on 4 December 2005 at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.
