2018–19 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy

The 2018–19 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy was a first-class domestic cricket competition that took place in Pakistan from 1 September to 8 December 2018.[1] 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.[2] Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited were the defending champions.[3]

2018–19 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy

Dates	1 September – 8 December 2018
Administrator(s)	Pakistan Cricket Board
Cricket format	First-class
Tournament format(s)	Group stage and Final
Host(s)	Pakistan
Champions	Habib Bank Limited (3rd title)
Participants	16
Matches played	69
Most runs	Khurram Manzoor (886)
Most wickets	Aizaz Cheema (59)
Official website	www.pcb.com.pk

In April 2018, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) won the Patron's Trophy Grade-II tournament to qualify for this years' edition of the competition.[4][5] ZTBL won their opening fixture of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, against Lahore Blues, by 151 runs.[6][7]

Prior to the start of the tournament, two players were dropped by their teams. Ahmed Shehzad, captain of Habib Bank Limited (HBL), was left out of HBL's squad after testing positive for the use of a banned substance.[8] Hasan Raza was not selected to play for Pakistan Television, after his alleged involvement in spot-fixing.[9]

During the tournament, the quality of some of the pitches was questioned. This included the fixture between Water and Power Development Authority and Sui Southern Gas Company, which was abandoned on day one due to an unsafe pitch, before it was restarted as a three-day game,[10] and the fixture between Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited and Habib Bank Limited, which saw Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited being bowled out for just 35 runs in their first innings.[11]

In Pool A, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited,[12] Peshawar,[13] Khan Research Laboratories[14] and Habib Bank Limited[15] all progressed to the Super Eight section of the tournament. They were joined by Sui Southern Gas Corporation, Water and Power Development Authority, Karachi Whites and Lahore Blues from Pool B.[16] The Super Eight fixtures were originally scheduled to take place in Lahore.[17] However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) moved the matches to Karachi due to bad weather.[18] Meanwhile, Islamabad from Pool A and Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited from Pool B were both relegated to the second-tier for the next season.[19]

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines and Habib Bank Limited won their respective Super Eight groups to progress to the final of the tournament.[20] For the first time in several years, the final was not shown live on television.[21] Habib Bank Limited won the tournament, despite the final ending as a draw, after they took a first-innings lead in the match.[22]