HBL lifts 2018/19 Quaid-e-Azam Cricket Trophy

The 2018/19 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is a first-class domestic cricket competition that took place in Pakistan from 1st September to 8th December 2018. Following the conclusion of each match, the teams played each other in a List A fixture in the 2018–19 Quaid-e-Azam One Day Cup tournament. Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited were the defending champions.  

In Pool A, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), Peshawar, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) and Habib Bank Limited (HBL) all progressed to the Super Eight section of the tournament. They were joined by Sui Southern Gas Corporation (SSGC), Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Karachi Whites and Lahore Blues from Pool B. The Super Eight fixtures were originally scheduled to take place in Lahore. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) moved the matches to Karachi due to bad weather.

Meanwhile, Islamabad from Pool A and Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited from Pool B were both relegated to the second-tier for the next season. SNGPL and HBL won their respective Super Eight groups to progress to the final of the tournament.

This is the third title win for HBL. Their previous victories had come in 1977-78 and 2010-11 seasons. HBL also remained runners-up seven times in the country’s first-class cricket event which was initiated in 1953-1954. HBL were crowned champions on the basis of first innings lead when their final  against Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) ended in a draw after a thrilling finish as SNGPL scored 304 in their first innings. In response, HBL posted 472 all out.

The winners HBL were handed over a trophy and a cash prize of 3 Million PKR. The runners-up SNGPL were also awarded with a trophy and prize money of 2 million PKR.

Similarly, Rs. 100,000 each was also handed over to HBL’s Umar Akmal who was declared man-of-the-final and Aizaz Cheema from Lahore Blues for the Best Bowler - 59 wickets. Also, Karachi Whites’ Khurram Manzoor was declared the Best Batsman - 886 runs and Gohar Ali the Best Stumper or Outstanding Player of the tournament.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Director Domestic, Haroon Rasheed, National Selector, Tauseef Ahmed and former International Spinner and Head of UBL Sports Wing, Nadeem Khan were the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the tournament.