Pakistan’s 69th Quaid-e-Azam Trophy began on November 3 with a prominent first-round meeting at Diamond Cricket Ground in Islamabad. Babar Azam’s Lahore Whites are scheduled to face FATA, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, after the Pakistan Cricket Board announced the team rosters and schedule on November 2. The contest gives the domestic red-ball season immediate national attention.
The fixture places Pakistan’s Test captain and ODI captain in opposing domestic teams. Babar is listed for Lahore Whites, while Shaheen leads FATA, linking the country’s senior international structure with its first-class system. Their presence makes the opening round especially visible, but the match remains part of a wider competition intended to provide sustained opportunities for established and emerging players.
The tournament is divided into an eight-team Gold tier and a 12-team Silver tier, with both competitions carrying first-class status. The Gold competition runs through December, after which the top two sides will meet in a final. This structure is intended to create a clearer performance pathway and build competitive depth beyond the national squad.
The PCB has also confirmed that every Gold-tier match will be live-streamed on tapmad and Tamasha. That arrangement gives supporters greater access to domestic cricket and provides a way for selectors, coaches and fans to follow players over a longer competition. The coverage can place performances in context instead of limiting attention to international windows or isolated scorecards.
Babar and Shaheen’s involvement raises the profile of the opening match without turning it into a symbolic exhibition. Their performances will be assessed alongside those of emerging players, and the contest will offer an early view of how the domestic system is supporting preparation for the longer format. The first round has therefore placed Pakistan’s domestic cricket reset under a bright spotlight from its opening day.
Source: https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/schedule-and-team-rosters-announced-for-quaid-e-azam-trophy-gold-and-silver.html
