The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today announced a significant change in the schedule of the 2026-27 domestic cricket season, with departmental cricket tournaments starting in September instead of the traditional December-January timeframe. The adjustment is aimed at enhancing preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
The departmental tournament will feature four-day first-class President’s Trophy Grade-I, List A President’s Cup, and three-day President’s Trophy Grade-II Gold and Silver tiers, providing a comprehensive platform for player development and competition.
In a concerted effort to bolster the domestic cricket framework, the PCB plans to collaborate extensively with the departmental teams. This initiative is expected to foster a competitive environment, advance player skills, and establish transparent revenue streams for domestic cricketers.
The President’s Cup One-Day tournament, involving eight teams, will be pivotal in refining strategies and skills in anticipation of the World Cup. The PCB is prioritising fitness by instituting pre-season fitness tests for player selection, ensuring that players meet the highest standards.
Furthermore, the introduction of the Guest Player concept will offer greater playing opportunities for centrally contracted and national pool players, thereby enriching the talent pool and competitive dynamics of the tournaments.
The President’s Trophy Grade-II Silver tournament, recently concluded in Faisalabad, saw its finalists earn promotion to the Gold tier, while the bottom two teams from Gold will face relegation. The victor of the Grade-II Gold final between MIT Solutions and Kingsmen Academy will advance to the Grade-I tournament, replacing the lowest-ranked team from the previous season.
This strategic scheduling and structural overhaul by the PCB is poised to elevate Pakistan”s domestic cricket scene, aligning it more closely with international standards and expectations.