The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket Australia (CA) have teamed together to design the Benaud-Qadir trophy, which would be awarded to the champion of the forthcoming 3-match Test series. Both sides have been 2 spin bowling legends in cricket, and on the celebration of Australia’s historic tour after 24 years to Pakistan, both cricket boards have chosen to honor the combination by dedicating and naming the series for them. Here in this article, we have discussed PCB and CA Named Benaud Qadir Trophy for Upcoming PAK vs AUS Test Series 2022.
PCB and CA announced officially the inauguration of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, titled following Aussie’s Richie Benaud and Pakistan’s Abdul Qadir, to celebrate the three-match Test series beginning on Friday, March 4.
The Benaud-Qadir Trophy will now become a stalwart award, handed to the conquerors of each men’s Test series performed involving Pakistan & Australia. In the bilateral Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia and India have a similar structure. The Frank Worrell Trophy is held by Australia and the West Indies.
Before the first match, Pakistan captain Babar Azam and Australia’s rival Pat Cummins revealed the new trophy at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. Following the end of the third match, the trophy will be presented to the victorious team in Lahore, the home of Pakistan cricket.
Benaud (1930-2015) and Qadir (1955-2019) were 2 of the most talented and well-respected cricketers of their times. Though Benaud was recognized for his aggressive wrist-spin bowling and batting as well, Qadir pushed the Australian’s talent towards the next stage with certain excellent achievements versus elevated batsmen at an era when pace bowlers ruled international cricket.
Benaud led Australians on their 1st complete tour to Pakistan in 1959, winning the series 2-0. He performed in 63 Tests and grabbed 248 wickets. Qadir, performed 11 of his 67 Tests versus Australia, where he bagged 45 wickets, notably 33 in 2 three-match series in 1982 & 1988, accordingly, while Kim Hughes and Allan Border led the Aussie team. Qadir, whose son Usman chose to play cricket in Australia, concluded with 236 wickets. Benaud was recognized in the 2009 ICC Hall of Fame, whereas Qadir was honored in the PCB Hall of Fame the year before.
PCB CEO Faisal Hasnain said: “There can be no better way to celebrate and mark the revival of Pakistan-Australia Test rivalry in Pakistan by launching the trophy in the names of two absolute legends and icons of this great game – Richie Benaud and Abdul Qadir. These two gentlemen remain a flavor of all eras and ages as their contributions towards cricket in general and wrist-spin bowling, in particular, are second to none”.
CA CEO Nick Hockley said: “This Test series is an exciting and historic occasion with Australia touring Pakistan for the first 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.”
