The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced big changes in its domestic cricket structure for the 2025-26 season.

 

One of the biggest changes is the return of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy to an eight-team format instead of 18, as the PCB aims to allow the best regional teams to compete at the highest level. This year’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will be held from September 22 to November 7 in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with 29 matches scheduled.

 

Before that, 12 regional teams will take part in the Hanif Mohammad Trophy, starting on August 15. This tournament will decide which two teams qualify for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. The PCB says this new step will reward players and teams based on performance rather than reputation.

 

The National T20 tournament will also adopt a new format. Ten regional teams will compete in a qualifying round in February 2026, with the top two joining eight pre-qualified teams for the Super 10 stage in Faisalabad in March.

 

Departmental cricket will continue to play an important role through tournaments like the President’s Trophy (first-class), President’s Cup (one-day), and Grade II and III events, helping players stay active and secure employment in the sport.

 

Alongside these main competitions, there will be tournaments for school, college, university, and club-level cricket. The PCB says this is one of the most detailed domestic schedules in recent years and is designed to prepare the next generation of Pakistan cricket stars.

 

Details for some competitions will be shared later. Here is the full schedule:

 

  

    
Tournament
    
Dates
    
Teams
    
Matches
    
Format
    
Venues
  
  

    
Hanif Mohammad Trophy (non-first-class)
    
15 Aug to 17 Sep 2025
    
12
    
31
    
Four-day
    
-
  
  

    
National U19 Cup
    
1-16 Sep 2025
    
18
    
49
    
One-day
    
9
  
  

    
Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (first-class)
    
22 Sep to 7 Nov 2025
    
8
    
29
    
Four-day
    
4
  
  

    
President’s Cup (One-Day) (Departmental)
    
24 Nov to 10 Dec 2025
    
8
    
31
    
One-day
    
4
  
  

    
President’s Trophy (first-class) (Departmental)
    
15 Dec 2025 to 30 Jan 2026
    
8
    
29
    
First-class
    
4
  
  

    
National T20 (Qualifier)
    
3-11 Feb 2026
    
12
    
30
    
T20
    
6
  
  

    
National T20 (Super 10)
    
1-12 Mar 2026
    
10
    
23
    
T20
    
1
  
  

    
National U17 Cup (One-Day)
    
28 Mar to 12 Apr 2026
    
18
    
49
    
One-day
    
9
  
  

    
National U15 Cup (One-Day)
    
16 Apr to 1 May 2026
    
18
    
49
    
One-day
    
9
  
  

    
President’s Trophy Grade II (Three-Day) (Dept)
    
28 Mar to 3 May 2026
    
14
    
46
    
Three-day
    
6
  
  

    
President’s Trophy Grade III (Two-Day) (Dept)
    
28 Mar to 23 Apr 2026
    
14
    
46
    
Two-day
    
6
  
  

    
Regional Inter-District U19
    
28 Mar to 10 Apr 2026
    
-
    
110
    
-
    
-
  
  

    
Challenge League (Two-Day)
    
1 Oct to 10 Nov 2025
    
-
    
-
    
Two-day
    
-
  
  

    
Regional Inter-District Senior
    
10 May to 10 Jun 2026
    
-
    
-
    
-
    
-
  
  

    
Club Cricket Tournament
    
Nov 2025 to Jun 2026
    
-
    
-
    
-
    
-
  
  

    
School Cricket
    
Sep-Oct 2025
    
-
    
-
    
-
    
-
  
  

    
College Cricket
    
Oct-Nov 2025
    
-
    
-
    
-
    
-
  
  

    
University Cricket
    
Nov-Dec 2025
    
-
    
-
    
-
    
-