Benaud-Qadir Trophy unveiled: Australia’s first Test collection in Pakistan in 24 years

To rejoice Australia’s first Test collection in Pakistan in 24 years, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket Australia (CA) on Wednesday introduced the introduction of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy. This shall be a perpetual Trophy and shall be offered on the finish of every males’s Test collection performed between the Pakistan and Australia cricket groups.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam and Australia captain Pat Cummins on Wednesday unveiled the Benaud-Qadir Trophy on the Pindi Cricket Stadium forward of the primary Test, which commences on Friday. The Benaud-Qadir Trophy shall be offered to the successful facet on the headquarters of Pakistan cricket in Lahore, the place the three-Test collection will culminate.

Pakistan and Australia to play for Benaud-Qadir Trophy

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— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) March 2, 2022

Benaud and Qadir have been two skilful, distinguished and immensely revered cricketers of various eras, who served the sport with honour, pleasure and distinction. Benaud obtained wrist-spin bowling observed and recognised as an attacking and wicket-taking possibility, an artwork that was subsequently taken to the following stage by Qadir with some unbelievable performances towards high-quality batters at a time when categorical quick bowlers have been ruling the roost.

Benaud captained Australia on the workforce’s first full tour to Pakistan in 1959 and received the collection 2-0, whereas Qadir performed in 11 Tests towards Australia wherein he took 45 wickets, together with 33 wickets in two three-Test collection in 1982 and 1988 towards Kim Hughes and Allan Border’s sides, respectively.

Individually, in 63 Tests from 1952 to 1964, Benaud took 248 wickets, whereas Qadir took to Test cricket in 1977 and completed in 1990 with 236 wickets in 67 Tests. For their respective heroics, achievements and accomplishments, Benaud was inducted within the ICC Hall of Fame in 2009, whereas Qadir was included within the PCB Hall of Fame in 2021.

PCB Chief Executive Officer Faisal Hasnain mentioned, “The launch of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy will add further context and spice to Pakistan-Australia Test series, which historically have been well-contested and hard-fought. I am confident that players from either side will draw further inspiration from this initiative and would want to be the first to put a hand on the trophy. Meanwhile, Pakistan cricket fans are looking forward to the opportunity of seeing two outstanding sides it battling out on the field in a bid to win the inaugural Benaud-Qadir Trophy.”

While Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer Nick Hockley mentioned that the Test collection is an thrilling and historic event with Australia touring Pakistan for the primary time in 24 years. “Given that context, it is fitting that we can honour two genuine legends of the game, Richie Benaud and Abdul Qadir, by inaugurating a trophy the two sides will play for with those legendary names on it,” he mentioned.

Before the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, Pakistan and Australia have performed 25 Test collection with Australia successful 13 and Pakistan successful seven.

Preparations are going up a gear in Pakistan!

The first #PAKvAUS Test kicks off at 4pm AEDT Friday 👌 pic.twitter.com/OjWjMbvpW8

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) March 2, 2022

Australia newly appointed captain Pat Cummins mentioned, “To be able to compete for the Benaud-Qadir Trophy for the first time is a huge honour. As current players, we really are standing on the shoulders of these greats of the past who helped to grow and popularize the game in years gone by, and if my team can collect that trophy at the end of this series then it really would be the perfect end to the Test part of this historic tour.”

When Pakistan final hosted Australia in 1998, Mark Taylor’s facet received the collection 1-0, whereas Sarfaraz Ahmed’s males received 1-0 in Pakistan’s final dwelling collection within the United Arab Emirates in 2018. The final Test collection between the 2 sides was performed in Australia in 2019, which was received 2-0 by Australia.

Babar Azam, who’s main the Pakistan facet, mentioned, “The sport is immediately wholesome, rich and powerful due to such people and their legacy, as such, we should all the time recognise and acknowledge their contributions and companies.

“We have our sights firmly on the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, both the sides will have to bring out their very best during this series as this promises to be a really competitive contest. This series will significantly enhance the quality of Test cricket, which cricket fans inside the venues and world-over can thoroughly enjoy”, he mentioned