ISLAMABAD: The upcoming 2023-24 domestic season is set to bring heightened competition and elevated cricket quality, along with increased earning prospects, as eight regional sides and eight department teams will engage in separate first-class tournaments.
This strategic move aims to ensure fair competition between regions and departments by utilizing the most exceptional available talent.
The PCB Cricket Technical Committee, headed by former captain Misbah ul Haq and Mohammad Hafeez, has framed the domestic structure. Numerous discussions were held with stakeholders, including regional presidents and department representatives, to garner their support.
Commencing on September 10, the forthcoming men’s season will kick off with the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, featuring top regional teams competing against each other. Subsequently, the President’s Trophy will commence on December 15, involving the top eight departments. Both tournaments will adopt a single-league format, culminating with the table-toppers competing in the final.
Among the 18 regional sides, eight teams will participate in the premier Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Ten regions will partake in the Hanif Mohammad Trophy, a non-first-class four-day tournament. Teams have been categorizing on the basis of their standings in the 2018-19 season. All these proceeds with the directives of the PCB’s Patron-in-Chief, who is also the Prime Minister of Pakistan. This revival of the 2014 Constitution reintroduces departmental participation in the domestic circuit, with both tournaments launching simultaneously.
Quaid-e-Azam Trophy: 10 September to 26 October
Hanif Mohammad Trophy: 10 September to 13 October
The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches, scheduled from September 10 to October 26, will be hosted by Abbottabad, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, totaling 29 matches. The Hanif Mohammad Trophy, with ten teams divided into two groups, will have 23 matches hosted by Faisalabad, Islamabad, and Multan.
Quaid-e-Azam Trophy participating teams: Peshawar, Karachi Whites, Lahore Blues, Rawalpindi, FATA, Multan, Lahore Whites, and Faisalabad.
However, Hanif Mohammad Trophy participating teams: Abbottabad, Azad Jammu, and Kashmir, Bahawalpur, Dera Murad Jamali, Hyderabad, Karachi Blues, Larkana, Quetta, Sialkot, and Islamabad.
Additionally, the historic departmental cricket model, previously discarded in the 2019 PCB constitution, has made a significant comeback, with over 40 teams registering for participation.
Furthermore, Continuing from the 2018-19 season, eight departments will compete in the first-class President’s Trophy. SNGPL, SSGC, WAPDA, KRL, PTV, NBP, and State Bank have been slotted based on their standing in the 2018-19 season. The eighth team will be announced later. The tournament, held from November 1 to 18, will adopt a single-league format and include all 29 matches in Karachi.
However, in January and February of 2024, Patron’s Trophy grade II with three-day games. Grade III with two-day games will be held concurrently across the country.
In addition, winning teams of the Hanif Mohammad Trophy, Patron’s Trophy grade II, and grade III will earn promotions. Teams at the bottom of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, President’s Trophy, and Patron’s Trophy Grade II will be relegated.
Each regional team is required to have at least one player under the age of 21 in the playing XI and a minimum of two in the 30-player squad. These players should have emerged from PCB’s age-group program.
