PSL next? PCB shocks cricket world by scrapping big tournament

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially scrapped the Champions Cup, just one year after its high-profile launch in 2024. The tournament, which was introduced by the PCB to add competitive flair to domestic cricket, will no longer feature in the 2025–26 season.

The Champions Cup had gained attention not only for its format but also for its star-studded mentorship program. Former Pakistan cricket icons Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, and Sarfaraz Ahmed were appointed as team mentors with hefty monthly contracts reportedly worth Rs 5 million each last year for the mentorship program.

PCB scraps Champions Cup and star-studded mentorship program

These appointments were made by the PCB through a competitive and transparent selection process. However, after an internal review earlier this year, the cricket board has decided to drop the entire Champions Cup concept following a series of poor performances.

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According to reports, the Champions Cup failed to deliver on its promises of improving domestic competitiveness and creating long-term value. The mentorship model was also deemed ineffective, leading to the cancellation of the contracts of all five mentors.

Former Pakistan captain and all-rounder Shoaib Malik was the first to step down, and his resignation reportedly sparked internal discussions that led to the eventual end of the mentorship program. The tournament and mentor roles, which initially were supposed to last three years, have now ended abruptly after just one season.

🚨 THE END OF CHAMPIONS CUP. 🚨

- PCB has officially removed all three tournaments of the Champions Cup from the domestic calendar. pic.twitter.com/hTffBCrEGK

— 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞 (@CallMeSheri1) July 7, 2025

PCB unveils revamped 2025–26 Domestic Season

This shocking call was taken after the PCB announced a new domestic structure for the 2025–26 season, aiming for a more performance-focused format. The season will kick off with the Hanif Mohammad Trophy on August 15, to be played across Karachi, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan, with 31 matches scheduled in the four-day tournament

The Hanif Mohammad Trophy for the 2025–26 season will feature the same 12 regional teams that took part in last year’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. The 12 teams are divided into two pools, and the top two sides will qualify for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

These teams are Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, FATA, Lahore Region Blues, Hyderabad, Karachi Region Blues, Karachi Region Whites, Multan, Quetta, D.M. Jamali, AJK, and Larkana. The selection is based on last season’s final rankings.

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Quaid-e-Azam Trophy to begin on September 22 with new format

The biggest attraction of the new domestic season will be the revamped Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s top first-class tournament, which will begin on September 22 with eight teams. And they are Lahore Region Whites, Sialkot, Peshawar, Islamabad, Abbottabad, and Bahawalpur, and two teams will come through the Hanif Mohammad Trophy.

The tournament will follow a single-league format with 29 matches, and the final will be held from 3 to 7 November. All matches will take place at four venues in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with two other venues set to be announced soon.

On the other hand, the PCB added a qualifier round for the National T20, where 10 teams will take part. These teams are Abbottabad, Multan, Quetta, Bahawalpur, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, FATA, Larkana, D.M. Jamali, and AJK, and they will be split into two groups, with the top two from each group moving on to the Super 10 stage.

This season will see four departmental competitions

The National T20 (Super 10) tournament will be held in Faisalabad from 1 to 12 March. Eight teams have already qualified for the Super 10 stage, and they are Karachi Region Whites, Lahore Region Whites, Peshawar, Karachi Region Blues, Sialkot, Islamabad, and Faisalabad.

This domestic season will also include four departmental competitions: President’s Trophy (four-day first-class), President’s Cup (one-day), President’s Trophy Grade II, and President’s Trophy Grade III.