The 2008–09 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy was one of two first-class domestic cricket competitions that were held in Pakistan during the 2008–09 season. It was the 51st edition of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, contested by 22 teams representing regional cricket associations and departments,[a] and was preceded in the schedule by the Pentangular Cup, contested by five teams representing the four provinces and the federal areas.
The format of the competition remained the same as the previous season, with the teams split into two groups of eleven playing four-day matches in a round-robin and a five-day final between the top teams in each group to determine the winner.[1] There were, however, changes to the structure of the groups; whereas the regions are departments were divided evenly between the groups in 2007–08, in 2008–09 the nine departmental teams were in Group A and eleven of the regional teams were in Group B; since both Karachi and Lahore had two teams in the competition, in order to even the groups, one from each was placed in Group A.[2] The Group B match between Quetta and Rawalpindi was completed in 20.1 overs, with a match aggregate of 85 runs being scored.[3] It was the lowest run-aggregate for a completed first-class cricket match, although both sides had forfeited their first innings after no play was possible on the first two days due to bad weather.[4]
Position determined by total points, most matches won after having a lead on first innings, fewest matches lost, followed by adjusted net run rate (matches with no result, i.e. those where both teams did not complete their first innings, were disregarded); matches finishing in a draw were decided on first innings scores, with points awarded as follows:
Win = 9 points
Win having tied or trailed on first innings = 6 points
Draw having led on first innings = 3 points
Loss, draw having trailed or with no result on first innings, or abandoned without a ball bowled = 0 points
^The top level of domestic cricket in Pakistan was historically played by teams representing regional cricket associations and departments, which were owned and run by corporations, institutions or government departments.
