Muhammad Irfanullah | July 23, 2026
Lahore, Pakistan (Web News) – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially unveiled the complete schedule for the 2026–27 domestic cricket season, with the new campaign set to begin on August 11 in Multan.
According to the PCB, this season has been carefully planned with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 in mind, aiming to prepare a strong pool of players for Pakistan’s national team through increased competitive match experience.
Season to Begin with List A Competitions
The domestic season will kick off with the National Champions Cup (List A) and the Departmental One-Day Cup.
PCB officials said the decision to start the season with 50-over tournaments is intended to provide World Cup hopefuls with maximum exposure in the one-day format ahead of the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and President’s Trophy Schedule
The red-ball portion of the domestic season will feature:
- Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold
- Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Silver
- President’s Trophy Grade I
- President’s Trophy Grade II Gold
- President’s Trophy Grade II Silver
According to the PCB, the President’s Trophy competitions will begin on September 12, while the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold and Silver divisions will start on November 1.
The Gold Division will feature eight teams, while the Silver Division will include twelve teams. Both tournaments will have first-class status, with promotion and relegation between the two divisions at the end of the season.
PCB Expands Regional Cricket Structure
In a major structural change, the PCB has expanded its regional domestic competition from 18 teams to 20 teams across 16 regions.
Under the new system, Sialkot and Peshawar have each been allocated two regional teams, joining Karachi and Lahore, which already field two teams each.
The PCB believes the expansion will provide more opportunities for talented cricketers while increasing competition at the regional level.
National T20 Cup and Junior Tournaments
The National T20 Cup Gold and Silver tournaments will be held in Lahore from February 5 to March 6, bringing together the country’s top domestic teams.
The PCB has also announced several youth development competitions, including:
- National Under-19 Cup and Championship: October 22 – December 5
- Under-15 One-Day Cup: October and November
- Under-17 Two-Day Tournament: November and December
Additionally, the District Challenge Leagues, Inter-District Under-19, and Inter-District Senior Tournaments will remain part of the domestic calendar.
World Cup 2027 Preparation Remains Top Priority
PCB Senior General Manager for Domestic Cricket Usama Sharron said the 2026–27 season has been designed to benefit both players and cricket fans.
He emphasized that strengthening regional cricket remains a key objective while ensuring that national team prospects receive sufficient match practice in the 50-over format before the 2027 World Cup.
According to Sharron, beginning the season with two major one-day tournaments will help players prepare more effectively for international competition.
Greater Focus on Youth Development
The PCB official also highlighted the importance of departmental cricket in developing young talent and creating pathways to the national team.
He noted that Under-19 players will receive increased opportunities to compete in red-ball cricket, allowing them to improve their technical skills, endurance, and understanding of the longer format.
The PCB believes these initiatives will help develop the next generation of Pakistani cricketers capable of representing the country at the highest level.
