PCB announces new playing conditions to make Quaid-e-Azam Trophy more competitive

KARACHI: In an attempt to make the domestic cricket more attractive and competitive, the Pakistan Cricket Board has introduced several changes to its playing conditions for the domestic seasons.

The major highlights of new playing conditions include the option of having an additional sixth day in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final, first innings performance points and no-toss rules.

The new playing conditions also highlight strict penalties for the slow-over rate.

In the first class matches, the teams will have additional points for their performance in the first innings, these points will be added to their points achieved thru the results of the particular match.

According to the new point system, a team securing an outright win will get 16 points. Five and nine points will be awarded for a drawn or a tied game.

In addition to that, a team will get 1 to 5 points for scoring between 200 to 400 runs in first 110 overs of its first innings. Similarly, one to three points will be awarded for taking 3 to 9 wickets in the same bracket.

Explaining the formula, the PCB highlighted that a team will receive one point for scoring 200 runs in 110 overs of first inning, and a point will be increased for each 50 runs till 400th run, within 110 overs of first inning.

Likewise, for taking 3 wickets, a team will be awarded one additional point and will get one point for each bracket of three wickets in 110 overs of first innings.

Previously, a team would have gained points for first innings’ lead. However, that rule has now been replaced with first innings performance.

“The additional point system will encourage teams to play positively throughout the match,” said a spokesman of the PCB’s domestic system.

However, the first inning lead will be effective in the final of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, in which the PCB has also introduced the option of an additional day.

“In case the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (first-class tournament) ends in a draw, the winner will be declared on the basis of the first innings,” the PCB has said.

“However, if the first innings is not completed within the scheduled duration – which is five days for the final match – the match will be continued on a subsequent day so that the first innings is completed by both the sides,” it added.

If the first innings of both the teams are not completed despite the extra day, both the teams will be declared as joint winner.

According to new playing conditions, the Cricket Associations can also register an overseas player, subject to a written approval from the PCB and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the relevant cricket board of that player, in addition to their original squad of 32 players.

“According to Clause 2 of the Qualification Rules for PCB Domestic Tournament 2019-20, all such requests to include overseas players are to made one month prior to the cricket season,” said the PCB statement.

“If a Cricket Association wants to take an overseas player on board during the season, a special request would have to be made to the PCB Domestic Cricket Operations department,” it added.

Furthermore, for the first time in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, the visiting team’s captain will have the option to bowl first after accessing the pitch conditions.

According to playing conditions, before the toss, the visiting team captain shall be offered the option to bowl first. If he decides so, the toss (Usual spin of the coin) shall not take place.

“If the visiting team’s captain is undecided then a normal toss (Usual spin of coin) shall take place.”

However, if the teams are playing at a neutral venue, the home team will be deemed the team, which is mentioned as “Home” in the schedule.

Meanwhile, the PCB has also increased fines for slow over-rate to ensure completion of matches in allocated time.