January 05, 2008	Saturday	Zilhaj 25, 1428

LAHORE, Jan 4: There is going to be no live telecast of the five-day Quaid-i-Azam Trophy final due to the banning of the private sports TV channel that had bought the rights for airing the domestic matches.

Being played between Habib Bank Limited (HBL) and Sui Northern Gas Pipe Lines (SNGPL), the final of the country’s premier event, named after the founder of the nation and carrying cash prizes of Rs1.75 million, starts at the National Stadium, Karachi, from Monday.

PCB Media Director Ahsan Hameed Malik told Dawn that the private channel was to cover 35 matches live but due to the ban it couldn’t even air a single match.

However, there was still a chance of it showing the final in case the ban is lifted till then.

The winner of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy final will receive a purse of rupees one million, with the runners-up getting Rs 500,000. Five cash prizes of Rs 50,000 each for best batsman, bowler, fielder and wicketkeeper in the tournament and Man-of-the-Final are also at stake.

Saleem Badar and Zamir Haider are the ground umpires for the final with Anwar Khan serving as the referee.