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Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Revamped as PCB Announces Full 2025-26 Domestic Schedule

(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)

PCB Unveils Revamped 2025–26 Domestic Cricket Calendar with Focus on Merit and Development

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a restructured and action-packed domestic cricket schedule for the 2025–26 season, promising a renewed focus on merit, competitiveness, and clear progression pathways across all levels of the game.

🔥 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Returns to Elite 8-Team Format

One of the biggest changes this season is the return of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy to a streamlined 8-team format, down from 18 teams. The PCB aims to raise the standard of domestic cricket by allowing only the top regional teams to compete. The tournament will run from September 22 to November 7, 2025, across Rawalpindi and Islamabad, with 29 four-day matches scheduled.

But before the main tournament kicks off, 12 regional teams will fight for qualification in the Hanif Mohammad Trophy, a non-first-class competition that begins on August 15. The top two teams will earn their place in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy—a move the PCB says will “reward performance, not reputation.”


⚡ National T20 Cup Gets New Format

The National T20 Cup is also being revamped. A qualifier stage featuring 10 regional sides will take place in February 2026, with the top two teams advancing to the Super 10 stage in Faisalabad in March. This new structure aims to keep the competition fierce and the talent pool dynamic.


🏢 Departmental Cricket Stays Strong

Recognizing the importance of departmental cricket for player employment and development, the PCB has retained all key departmental tournaments:

  • President’s Trophy (First-Class)

  • President’s Cup (One-Day)

  • Grade II and Grade III Departmental Competitions

These formats offer job security and competitive opportunities to cricketers outside the regional system.


🧒 Youth and Grassroots Cricket Prioritized

In a major boost for talent development, the 2025–26 calendar includes:

  • National U15, U17 & U19 Cups

  • Regional Inter-District Competitions

  • Club, School, College & University Cricket Tournaments

These platforms ensure that the next generation of stars is constantly nurtured through structured competitive cricket at all levels.


📅 Complete PCB Domestic Cricket Schedule 2025–26

Tournament Dates Teams Matches Format Venues
Hanif Mohammad Trophy (non-FC) Aug 15 – Sep 17, 2025 12 31 Four-day
National U19 Cup Sep 1 – 16, 2025 18 49 One-day 9 venues
Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (First-Class) Sep 22 – Nov 7, 2025 8 29 Four-day 4 venues
President’s Cup (One-Day, Dept) Nov 24 – Dec 10, 2025 8 31 One-day 4 venues
President’s Trophy (First-Class, Dept) Dec 15, 2025 – Jan 30, 2026 8 29 First-Class 4 venues
National T20 Qualifier Feb 3 – 11, 2026 12 30 T20 6 venues
National T20 Super 10 Mar 1 – 12, 2026 10 23 T20 Faisalabad
National U17 Cup Mar 28 – Apr 12, 2026 18 49 One-day 9 venues
National U15 Cup Apr 16 – May 1, 2026 18 49 One-day 9 venues
President’s Trophy Grade II (3-Day, Dept) Mar 28 – May 3, 2026 14 46 Three-day 6 venues
President’s Trophy Grade III (2-Day, Dept) Mar 28 – Apr 23, 2026 14 46 Two-day 6 venues
Regional Inter-District U19 Mar 28 – Apr 10, 2026 110
Challenge League (Two-Day) Oct 1 – Nov 10, 2025 Two-day
Regional Inter-District Seniors May 10 – Jun 10, 2026
Club Cricket Tournament Nov 2025 – Jun 2026
School Cricket Sep – Oct 2025
College Cricket Oct – Nov 2025
University Cricket Nov – Dec 2025

📈 A Clear Pathway for Pakistan’s Cricket Future

With a packed calendar and a renewed focus on rewarding performance, the PCB’s 2025–26 domestic season promises to be one of the most comprehensive and competitive in recent years. It’s a bold step toward ensuring Pakistan produces players ready for the international stage.

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