LAHORE – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a revamped three-tier departmental structure for the 2025-26 domestic cricket season, marking a major expansion of the existing two-tier system.
The upcoming season, which will run from August 2025 to May 2026, will see over 40 departments competing across three levels – Grade-I, Grade-II, and the newly introduced Grade-III. The PCB says the new framework is designed to enhance competitiveness and create a clearer promotion and relegation pathway for teams.
The introduction of Grade-III will provide additional opportunities for departments to compete in two-day matches scheduled for March and April 2026. These teams have been selected based on their performance in the 2024-25 President’s Trophy Grade-II. The top two Grade-III sides will be promoted to Grade-II, while the bottom two Grade-II sides will drop down a tier.
In Grade-II, 12 teams have already qualified based on last season’s results. They will be joined by two relegated sides from Grade-I, making a 14-team competition for the President’s Trophy Grade-II, a three-day tournament to be played from March to May 2026. The winning side will be promoted to the first-class and List A departmental tournaments for the following year.
The PCB is also encouraging departments to form women’s teams to expand the women’s domestic cricket framework. More details are expected in the coming months.
Director of Domestic Cricket Operations, Abdullah Khurram Niazi, highlighted the importance of departmental cricket, saying it remains the backbone of Pakistan’s domestic season.
“We’ve incentivised departmental cricket by introducing a three-tier system to ensure a more competitive environment. With over 40 departments involved, more than 400 players will get the chance to showcase their talent in various formats,” Niazi said.
The 2025-26 season will begin with the Grade-I 50-over President’s Cup in November and December, followed by the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. The same Grade-I teams will then compete in the President’s Trophy (First-Class) tournament, running through January 2026.
Relegation and promotion between the tiers will ensure a merit-based pipeline of teams and players across the domestic structure.
