The Benaud–Qadir Trophy is a Test cricket series played between the men's cricket teams of Australia and Pakistan. It was launched in March 2022 during Australia's tour of Pakistan. The trophy is named after Richie Benaud and Abdul Qadir, who were both prolific cricketers and exponents of leg spin bowling for their respective nations.[3][4] Both nations have shared a formidable cricket rivalry at times.[5][6][7][8]

Benaud–Qadir Trophy
بینو قادر ٹرافی
Countries Australia
 Pakistan
AdministratorInternational Cricket Council
Cricket Australia
Pakistan Cricket Board
FormatTest cricket
First edition2021–22 (Pakistan)
Latest edition2023–24 (Australia)
Tournament formatTest series
Number of teams2
Current trophy holder Australia (2nd)
Most successful Australia (2)
QualificationICC World Test Championship
Most runsAustralia Usman Khawaja (716)[1]
Most wicketsAustralia Pat Cummins (31)[2]
TVList of broadcasters

Under the agreement reached between Cricket Australia (CA) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), all bilateral Test series between the two teams from 2022 onward would be played under the Benaud–Qadir Trophy.[9] The tours will be scheduled under the ICC Future Tours Programme and will form part of the ICC World Test Championship.

Background edit

Below is a summary of all Test series played prior to the Benaud–Qadir Trophy between Australia and Pakistan from 1956 to 2019, covering a 63-year period.[10] Australia and Pakistan competed against each other in 25 Test series, with Australia winning 13, Pakistan winning seven, and five Test series ending in a draw.[9][10] In terms of Test matches, the two sides played against each other a total of 66 times, out of which Australia won 33 matches, Pakistan won 15 matches, and 18 matches were drawn.[11] The first ever Test match between the two sides was played in October 1956 in Karachi, which Pakistan won by nine wickets.[12]

Pakistan hosted 12 series, from 1956 onward; between Australia's tours of 1998 and 2022, all of Pakistan's home series were held on neutral venues like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sri Lanka and England due to the security situation in Pakistan post-2002.[10][13][14] Australia hosted 13 series, from 1964 onward.[10]

Pakistan played Test matches against Australia on Australian soil on 37 occasions, out of which they won four times and drew seven times but did not win a Test series; they also played Australia in home matches held on neutral venues on nine occasions, in which they defeated Australia four times and drew once, including prominent series victories in 2014 and 2018 in the UAE.[10] Pakistan clinched five of their seven series victories in home conditions – 1956, 1980, 1982, 1988 and 1994, winning seven and drawing 10 of their total of 20 home games.[10]

Of their 20 matches played against Pakistan on Pakistani soil, Australia won three times and drew 10 times, including historical series victories in 1959 and 1998; they also defeated Pakistan in neutral venues four times and drew once out of nine occasions, including a series victory in 2002 in Sri Lanka and the UAE.[10][15] Australia seized 10 of their 13 series victories in home conditions – 1972–73, 1981, 1983–84, 1990, 1995, 1999, 2004–05, 2009–10, 2016–17 and 2019, winning 26 and drawing seven of their total of 37 home games.[10]

Five Test series between Australia and Pakistan were drawn. Of these, the series of October 1964 was held in Pakistan; the series of December 1964, 1976–77 and 1979 were held in Australia, while the series of 2010 was held in the neutral venues of England.[10]

Season Host Tests Australia Pakistan Drawn Result
1956–57   Pakistan
1
0
1
0
Pakistan
1959–60   Pakistan
3
2
0
1
Australia
1964–65   Pakistan
1
0
0
1
Drawn
1964–65   Australia
1
0
0
1
Drawn
1972–73   Australia
3
3
0
0
Australia
1976–77   Australia
3
1
1
1
Drawn
1978–79   Australia
2
1
1
0
Drawn
1979–80   Pakistan
3
0
1
2
Pakistan
1981–82   Australia
3
2
1
0
Australia
1982–83   Pakistan
3
0
3
0
Pakistan
1983–84   Australia
5
2
0
3
Australia
1988–89   Pakistan
3
0
1
2
Pakistan
1989–90   Australia
3
1
0
2
Australia
1994–95   Pakistan
3
0
1
2
Pakistan
1995–96   Australia
3
2
1
0
Australia
1998–99   Pakistan
3
1
0
2
Australia
1999–2000   Australia
3
3
0
0
Australia
2002–03   Pakistan
3
3
0
0
Australia
2004–05   Australia
3
3
0
0
Australia
2009–10   Australia
3
3
0
0
Australia
2010   Pakistan
2
1
1
0
Drawn
2014–15   Pakistan
2
0
2
0
Pakistan
2016–17   Australia
3
3
0
0
Australia
2018–19   Pakistan
2
0
1
1
Pakistan
2019–20   Australia
2
2
0
0
Australia
Total
25
66
33
15
18
Australia: 13
Pakistan: 7
Drawn: 5

Notes

  • Italics indicate a home series for Pakistan that was held in a neutral venue.
  • Source: ESPNcricinfo.[10]

List of Benaud–Qadir Trophy series edit

Season Host First Match Tests Australia Pakistan Drawn Result Holder Player of the series
2021–22   Pakistan 4 March 2022
3
1
0
2
Australia
Australia   Usman Khawaja
2023–24   Australia 14 December 2023
3
3
0
0
Australia
Australia   Pat Cummins
Total
2
(26)
6
(69)
3
(34)
0
(15)
2
(20)
Australia: 2 (14)
Pakistan: 0 (7)
Drawn: 0 (5)
  • Totals in brackets represent overall head-to-head figures, including Test series played prior to the Benaud–Qadir Trophy.
  • Source: ESPNcricinfo.[16][10]

Match venues edit

The following is a full list of venues for Test matches played between Pakistan and Australia since 1956, along with match records. Venues that have featured in the Benaud–Qadir Trophy are in green. Venues that no longer host matches are in red.

Locations of Benaud–Qadir Trophy Tests within Pakistan. Italics indicate locations of Tests played prior to the Benaud–Qadir Trophy.
Locations of Tests played in Australia prior to the Benaud–Qadir Trophy.
Locations of Tests played in neutral venues prior to the Benaud–Qadir Trophy. Note: Dacca (then in East Pakistan) hosted one home Test in 1959.
In Pakistan
Stadium Province First Test Last Test Played   Pakistan wins Draws   Australia wins Ref
National Stadium, Karachi   Sindh 1956–57 2021–22 9 5 1994 4 0 [17]
Dacca Stadium, Dacca   East Pakistan 1959–60 1959–60 1 0 0 1 1959 [18]
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore   Punjab 1959–60 2021–22 6 1 1982 3 2 2022 [19]
Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad   Punjab 1979–80 1988–89 3 1 1982 2 0 [20]
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi   Punjab 1994–95 2021–22 3 0 2 1 1998 [21]
Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar   Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 1998–99 1998–99 1 0 1 0 [22]
In Australia
Stadium State First Test Last Test Played   Australia wins Draws   Pakistan wins Ref
MCG, Melbourne   Victoria 1964–65 2023–24 11 7 2023 2 2 1981 [23]
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide   South Australia 1972–73 2019–20 5 2 2019 3 0 [24]
SCG, Sydney   New South Wales 1972–73 2023-24 9 6 2024 1 2 1995 [25]
WACA Ground, Perth   Western Australia 1978–79 2004–05 5 5 2004 0 0 [26]
Perth Stadium, Perth   Western Australia 2023–24 2023–24 1 1 2023 0 0 [27]
The Gabba, Brisbane   Queensland 1981–82 2019–20 6 5 2019 1 0 [28]
Bellerive Oval, Hobart   Tasmania 1995–96 2009–10 3 3 2010 0 0 - [29]
In neutral venues
Stadium Country First Test Last Test Played   Pakistan wins Draws   Australia wins Ref
P Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo   Sri Lanka 2002–03 2002–03 1 0 0 1 2002 [30]
Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah   United Arab Emirates 2002–03 2002–03 2 0 0 2 2002 [31]
Lord's, London   England 2010 2010 1 0 0 1 2010 [32]
Headingley, Leeds   England 2010 2010 1 1 2010 0 0 [33]
Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai   United Arab Emirates 2014–15 2018–19 2 1 2014 1 0 [34]
Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi   United Arab Emirates 2014–15 2018–19 2 2 2018 0 0 [35]

Media coverage edit

The series is broadcast through PTV Sports in Pakistan and Fox Sports in Australia.[36] Globally, coverage has been available via Sony in the rest of South Asia including India, Etisalat in the Middle East and North Africa, Sky Sports in the United Kingdom, Sky Sport in New Zealand, SuperSport in Sub-Saharan Africa, Flow Sports in the Caribbean and Willow in North America, with ICC TV and Daraz serving as the live streaming partners.[36]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Records / Benaud-Qadir Trophy / Most Runs". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Records / Benaud-Qadir Trophy / Most Wickets". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  3. ^ Doran, Christy (2 March 2022). "Spin legends recognised as inaugural Benaud-Qadir Trophy named". Fox Sports. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  4. ^ Middleton, Dave (2 March 2022). "Pakistan and Australia to play for the Benaud-Qadir Trophy". Cricket.com.au. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  5. ^ Ramsey, Andrew (10 November 2019). "Australia v Pakistan: Five famous Gabba Tests". Cricket.com.au. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  6. ^ Jackson, Russell (14 December 2016). "Australia and Pakistan's cricket history a rare object of mutual fascination". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  7. ^ "Rivalry renewed: Five memorable Pakistan-Australia Test clashes". Times of India. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022 – via AFP.
  8. ^ Larkin, Steve (20 March 2015). "Best of enemies: Australia's ongoing rivalry with Pakistan". The Roar. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Pakistan and Australia to play for Benaud-Qadir Trophy". Pakistan Cricket Board. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Australia v Pakistan / Records / Test Matches / Series Results". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  11. ^ Larkin, Steve (2 March 2022). "A look at Australia-Pakistan Test matches". Perth Now. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  12. ^ "An insomniac's dream". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  13. ^ Pinshaw, Antony (28 September 2015). "Bangladesh v Australia: plenty of precedent for Test tours being postponed". Fox Sports. Retrieved 2 March 2022. Australia very nearly ended up playing cricket in Morocco after cancelling its 2002 tour of Pakistan. The Aussies were due to play a series in Pakistan for the first time since 1998 when, after consulting with Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and Prime Minister John Howard, Cricket Australia cancelled the tour in August of 2002.
  14. ^ Lavalette, Tristan (25 February 2022). "Cricket's Return In Pakistan Cemented As Australia Ends 24-Year Tour Drought". Forbes. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  15. ^ Smith, Martin (25 February 2022). "Hat-tricks, heroes & heartache: Australia's Tests in Pakistan". Cricket.com.au. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  16. ^ "Records / Benaud-Qadir Trophy / Series Results". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  17. ^ "National Stadium, Karachi". ESPNcricinfo. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  18. ^ "Bangabandhu National Stadium". ESPNcricinfo. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  19. ^ "Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore". ESPNcricinfo. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  20. ^ "Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad". ESPNcricinfo. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  21. ^ "Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium". ESPNcricinfo. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  22. ^ "Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar". ESPNcricinfo. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  23. ^ "Melbourne Cricket Ground". ESPNcricinfo. 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  24. ^ "Adelaide Oval". ESPNcricinfo. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  25. ^ "Sydney Cricket Ground". ESPNcricinfo. 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  26. ^ "W.A.C.A. Ground, Perth". ESPNcricinfo. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  27. ^ "Perth Stadium, Perth". ESPNcricinfo. 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  28. ^ "Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba, Brisbane". ESPNcricinfo. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  29. ^ "Bellerive Oval, Hobart". ESPNcricinfo. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  30. ^ "P Sara Oval, Colombo". ESPNcricinfo. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  31. ^ "Sharjah Cricket Stadium". ESPNcricinfo. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  32. ^ "Lord's, London". ESPNcricinfo. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  33. ^ "Headingley, Leeds". ESPNcricinfo. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  34. ^ "Dubai International Cricket Stadium". ESPNcricinfo. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  35. ^ "Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi". ESPNcricinfo. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  36. ^ a b "Commentators for Benaud-Qadir Trophy announced". Pakistan Cricket Board. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.

External links edit