January 13, 2003	Monday	Ziqa'ad 9, 1423

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LAHORE, Jan 12: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to amend playing conditions in order to decide knock-out matches of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy after bad weather virtually played havoc with the preliminary round ties in Punjab.

The knock-out stage begins with pre-quarter-finals matches starting from Jan 20.

A large portion of matches played at Lahore, Muridke, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Sargodha and Okara were affected by dense fog and poor visibility.

According to the amendments, “if first innings of one team has been completed but after playing 35 overs the first innings of the other team can not be completed, the results shall be decided as under:

Deducted from the average run per over scored by that team. The average runs per over scored by the opponents to calculate the net run rate. The team with higher net run rate will be the winner.

For the purpose of obtaining a run rate the side batting second must bat 35 overs. If the run rates remain equal, the result shall be decided on the spin of the coin.

The second amendment says “if the first innings of one team has been completed but the first innings of the other team does not proceed beyond 35 overs, then as soon as the ground is fit for play and if time permits, the whole innings will be completed and lead shall be decided on the basis of first innings. If still not decided then on the spin of the coin.”

The third amendment says “when no play is possible during the major part of the match excluding the final of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy then within the time available, the umpires will work out and decide the number of overs each side will play. The number of overs so decided shall not be less than 25 overs.”

The last amendment says:

I. If a match is completely washed out or one or both innings  not completed in the pre-quarterfinals, then the team which has better net run rate in the pool matches will qualify for the quarterfinals round.

II. Similarly, if a match is completely washed out or one or both innings not completed in the quarterfinals, then the team which has a better run rate in all matches including pre-quarterfinals will qualify for the semifinal.

III. If a semifinal is washed out or one or both innings not completed then the team, which has a better run rate in all matches including, pre-quarterfinals and quarterfinals will play the final of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy 2002-2003.