The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially scattered the Champions Cup exactly a year after its high-profile launch in 2024. The tournament, which was introduced by PCB to add competitive nature in domestic cricket, will no longer be in the 2025β26 season.
The Champions Cup attracted attention not only for its format but also for its star-staded mentarship program. Former Pakistan cricket icon Sakalain Mushtaq, Warcker Younis, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, and Sarfaraz Ahmed were appointed as the team’s patrons every year with 5 million rupees every year for the mentorship program.
PCB Scrap Champions Cup and Star-Staded Mentarship Program
These appointments were made by PCB through a competitive and transparent selection process. However, after an internal review earlier this year, the Cricket Board has decided to leave the entire Champions Cup concept after a series of poor performances.
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According to reports, the Champions Cup failed to fulfill its promises to improve domestic competition and create long -term values. The mentorship model was also considered ineffective, canceling the contracts of all five masters.
Former Pakistan captain and all -rounder Shoaib Malik was to quit the first position, and his resignation allegedly gave rise to internal discussions, causing the final end of the Mentarship program. The tournament and mentor roles, which lived for three years initially, are now suddenly ended after just one season.
End of Champions Cup.
– PCB has officially removed all three tournaments of the Champions Cup from the domestic calendar. pic.twitter.com/htffbcregkk
– ππππ§π (@callmesheri1) July 7, 2025
PCB resumed 2025-26 domestic season
This shocking call was taken after PCB announced a new domestic structure for the 2025β26 season, which was the target for a more performance-centric format. The season will be kicked with Hanif Mohammad Trophy on August 15, to be played in Karachi, Multan, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan, will be played with 31 matches in the four -day tournament.
The Hanif Mohammad Trophy for the 2025-26 season will feature the same 12 regional teams who participated in the previous year’s Quad-e-Azam Trophy. 12 teams are divided into two pools, and the top two sides will qualify for the Quad-e-Azam Trophy.
These teams are Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Phata, Lahore region Blues, Hyderabad, Karachi region Blues, Karachi region Gore, Multan, Quetta, DM Jamali, Ajk and Larkana. The selection is based on the final ranking of the previous season.
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Quad-e-Azam Trophy starting with new format on 22 September
The biggest attraction of the new domestic season for Pakistan’s top first-class tournament will begin with eight teams on 22 September. And they are Lahore regions Gore, Sialkot, Peshawar, Islamabad, Abbottabad and Bahawalpur, and two teams will come through the Hanif Mohammad Trophy.
The tournament will follow the single-League format with 29 matches, and the final will be held from 3 to 7 November. All matches will be held at four places in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with two other places announced soon.
On the other hand, PCB added a qualifier round for the National T20, where 10 teams will participate. These teams are Abotabad, Multan, Quetta, Bahawalpur, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Phata, Larkna, DM Jamali, and AJK, and they will divide into two groups, going on the super 10 stage with top two of each group.
This season will see four departmental competitions
The National T20 (Super 10) tournament will be held from 1 to 12 March in Faisalabad. Eight teams have already qualified for Super 10 stages, and are Karachi region Gore, white, Peshawar, Karachi region Blues, Sialkot, Islamabad and Faisalbad in Lahore region.
Four departmental competitions will also be included in this domestic season: President’s Trophy (four -day first class), President Cup (one day), President’s Trophy Grade II and President’s Trophy Grade III.
