LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled the schedule for the 2026–27 domestic cricket season, which will begin on August 11 in Multan, with preparations for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup shaping the season’s structure.
The campaign will open with the National Champions Cup (List A) and the Departmental One-Day Cup to provide players with more 50-over match practice. In red-ball cricket, the President’s Trophy (Grade I & II) will start on September 12, while the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold and Silver divisions will begin on November 1.
The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold will feature eight teams, while the Silver Division will include 12 teams, with promotion and relegation remaining in place.
To strengthen regional cricket, the PCB has increased the number of regional teams from 18 to 20, with Sialkot and Peshawar now fielding two teams each, similar to Lahore and Karachi.
The National T20 Cup Gold and Silver tournaments will be held in Lahore from February 5 to March 6. The PCB has also expanded youth cricket by introducing an Under-19 three-day tournament, while the National U19 Cup and Championship will run from October 22 to December 5.
Under-15 and Under-17 competitions, along with district-level tournaments, will also be staged during the season.
PCB Senior General Manager Domestic Cricket Usama Sharron said the new season is designed to benefit both players and fans, adding that greater financial support and a stronger regional structure under PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will help improve the domestic game while providing better preparation for the 2027 World Cup.
