LAHORE, Oct 3: Twenty-one teams will feature in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy 2007-08, Pakistan’s most prestigious domestic cricket event, starting across the country from Oct 20.

This time the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has included both departmental and regional teams in the tournament as against last year’s format of holding separate competitions for them.

Last year, the departmental teams took part in the Patron’s Trophy while the regional teams competed in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy.

The teams have been divided into two groups.

The Group ‘A’ comprises Habib Bank, Customs, Wapda, National Bank of Pakistan, Lahore Ravi, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Multan, Karachi Whites and Hyderabad.

In pool ‘B’, Khan Research Laboratories, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited, PIA, Sui Northern Gas Pipe Lines, Karachi Blues, Rawalpindi, Lahore Shalimar, Peshawar, Islamabad, Abbottabad and Quetta are included.

The winners of each group will qualify for the final which will be played from Jan 1 to 5. Venue of the final will be announced later.

Moreover, three bottom teams from each group will be relegated to Patron’s Trophy Grade-II tournament in 2008-09.