LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to defer triangular stage of the premier first-class tournament, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QEAT) 2024-25, to accommodate the newly-introduced Champions T20 Cup.

The T20 tournament, a part of the Champions tournaments, introduced by the cricket board earlier this year, will run from December 7 to 25 in Rawalpindi.

In a bid to accommodate the inaugural edition of the Champions T20 Cup, the triangular stage of the ongoing QEAT, scheduled to commence on November 26, will be held in two phases.

As a result, the first two matches of the decisive stage will be held in Abbottabad while the remaining match and the final will be held after the conclusion of the new tournament.

“To ensure all domestic players have the opportunity to compete in the much-awaited Champions T20 Cup, the PCB has rescheduled the final round matches of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy,” shared PCB in a statement.

“The last triangular stage fixture between Lahore Whites and Sialkot will now be played from December 27 to 31, with the five-day final to follow from January 2-6. Venues for these matches will be announced in due course,” the statement added.

The cricket board has also shared the schedule of the five-team tournament, comprised of 22 matches, including six double-headers and eight single-headers.

The Champions T20 Cup will be played in “a new cut-throat format” to enhance the intensity of the competition.

As per the format, the table-topper after the double-league stage will advance directly to the final, while the second and third-placed teams will face off in a Qualifier.

The tournament format will also serve as a platform for emerging talent to showcase their skills, offering selectors valuable insights into players who could be groomed for the national team.

Furthermore, standout performers may attract the attention of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises as they prepare for the 2025 season and beyond.

Champions T20 Cup schedule

Sat, Dec 7: Stallions v Panthers (11am); Nurpur Lions v UMT Markhors (3:30pm)

Sun Dec 8: Panthers v Dolphins (12pm)

Mon, Dec 9: Stallions v Lions (12pm)

Tues, Dec 10: Dolphins v Markhors (12pm)

Wed, Dec 11: Lions v Panthers (12pm)

Thurs, Dec 12: Stallions v Markhors (11am); Dolphins v Lions (3:30pm)

Fri, Dec 13: Panthers v Markhors (11am); Stallions v Dolphins (3:30pm)

Sun, Dec 15: Stallions v Panthers (11am); Lions v Markhors (3:30pm)

Mon, Dec 16: Panthers v Dolphins (12pm)

Tues, Dec 17: Stallions v Lions (12pm)

Wed, Dec 18: Dolphins v Markhors (12pm)

Thurs, Dec 19: Lions v Panthers (12pm)

Fri, Dec 20: Stallions v Markhors (11am); Dolphins v Lions (3:30pm)

Sat, Dec 21: Panthers v Markhors (11am); Stallions v Dolphins (3:30pm)

Mon, Dec 23: Qualifier (Second ranked side v third ranked side) (3:30pm)

Wed, Dec 25: FINAL (3:30pm)