Cricket Kitchen

Pakistan Domestic Cricket: Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Reduced, Champions Cup Also Dropped

July 8, 2025

 

Kathmandu – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has once again completely overhauled its domestic cricket structure. This time, the Quaid-e-Azam (QeA) Trophy will feature only eight regional teams.

Departmental teams (such as those representing banks, airlines, etc.) will continue to participate in the President’s Trophy and Cup, which have traditionally played a key role in Pakistan’s domestic cricket.

Starting from August 15, the Hanif Mohammad Trophy will be held, and only the top two teams from that competition will qualify for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. This is now the only route for a Karachi-based team to earn a spot in the QeA Trophy.

According to the PCB, this restructuring aims to “increase competitiveness.” Under the new format, the QeA Trophy will feature 29 matches, played from September 22 to November 7, across four venues in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. However, the PCB did not explain why other cities were excluded from hosting matches.

Similarly, the Champions Cup series has also been quietly dropped. Launched last season with much publicity, the series was intended to feature top-level cricket in all three formats. However, the first-class edition was never held, and this season, the tournament wasn’t even mentioned in the PCB’s press release.

The 10-team National T20 Cup will remain on the calendar. It will include a qualifying round featuring 10 additional teams, with the top two advancing to the “Super 10 Stage”, which will take place in Faisalabad from March 1 to 12, 2026.

PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed Syed expressed his satisfaction with the introduction of a domestic structure that focuses on merit, opportunity, and competitiveness.

He stated that the new format ensures team and player progression based on performance rather than reputation.

“Every match will now carry significance, which will raise the standard of competition and help develop a high-performance culture,” he said.

Since the inception of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in 1953–54, Pakistan’s domestic cricket has seen frequent structural and format changes, a trend that continues with this latest overhaul.