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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled a new three-tier domestic cricket structure for the 2025-26 season, aiming to improve competitiveness and provide clear promotion and relegation opportunities.
This expanded format replaces the old two-tier system and will feature over 40 departmental teams across Pakistan, competing in Grade-I, Grade-II, and the newly introduced Grade-III levels.
Matches will span across various formats including first-class, List A, three-day, and two-day tournaments. The season runs from August 2025 through May 2026, giving players a full competitive calendar.
Teams in Grade-III will participate in two-day matches in March and April 2026. These sides were selected based on their performance in the 2024-25 President’s Trophy Grade-II tournament.
The top two Grade-III teams will earn promotion to Grade-II, while the bottom two teams from Grade-II will be relegated, ensuring a fair competitive system across divisions.
Twelve sides have already qualified for the upcoming Grade-II event based on last season’s performance. They will be joined by HEC and Eshaal Associates, both relegated from Grade-I.
Director Abdullah Khurram Niazi praised the importance of departmental cricket, saying it remains central to the domestic structure and helps in nurturing future talent through regular match exposure.
He added that over 400 players are expected to feature in this season, and dividing departments into three levels will push every team to perform better and raise overall cricket standards.
Grade-II teams will compete in the President’s Trophy, a three-day event from March to May 2026. Winners will advance to Grade-I’s first-class and List A competitions in 2026-27.
Grade-I’s season begins in November 2025 with the 50-over President’s Cup, followed by the President’s Trophy first-class tournament, wrapping up in January 2026 after 29 competitive matches.
PCB is also planning a 50-over event for Grade-II teams and is encouraging departments to form women’s squads, expanding domestic opportunities for female cricketers across Pakistan.
