Central Punjab were crowned champions with a dominant performance in the final, Northern were the losing finalists

As per Covid-19 protocols for the 2019-20 season, respected members of the media can only attend and cover matches at the National Stadium. Detailed 15 September media advisory to this effect is available here, while key media guidelines are reproduced below

The three struggling sides in the First XI National T20 Cup – Balochistan, Central Punjab and Southern Punjab – have revisited their team combinations for the second round action, which begins at the Pindi Cricket Stadium from Friday, 9 October

Defending champions Northern recorded their 10th consecutive victory in the T20 format by defeating last year’s finalists’ Balochistan by a comprehensive seven wicket margin on Tuesday night at the Multan Cricket Stadium in the 14th match of the National T20 Cup for First XI teams

Director – High Performance Nadeem Khan to hold media conference at National Stadium today (Monday) at 1400, which will be live-streamed on PCB’s Facebook and YouTube channels

Last year’s champions Northern enter the National T20 Cup First XI tournament with a star-studded squad, capable of defending their title. The team consists of some of the leading T20 performers in the country, including exciting young cricketers

Musa Khan and Rohail Nazir to also depart with the side; left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar to join from England to assist the side in pre-series preparations

The Pakistan Cricket Board today confirmed five reserve players and a backup player support personnel have undergone Covid-19 tests

Fast bowlers Hasan Ali and Mohammad Amir, and middle-order batsman Haris were not available for selection. Hasan is suffering from a back injury, Amir withdrew so that he can be at the birth of his second child in August while Haris took the option of pulling out of the tour due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The players have been selected with one eye on the future as I want them to learn from Mushtaq Ahmed and Younis Khan which will help them beyond this tour, says Misbah-ul-Haq