Latest news with #HanifMohammadTrophy
Business Recorder
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Cricketers gear up for PCB's domestic cricket season 2025-26
LAHORE: The Domestic cricket season 2025-26 is set to begin with the 12-team Hanif Mohammad Trophy in August and it will be followed by the eight-team Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. The 16 regional teams taking part in both the tournaments are set to conduct fitness tests for their preliminary squads a week before the beginning of the tournament. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has devised a rigorous fitness testing criterion with two different levels, one for the pathways' players and the other for those set to take part in premier domestic events representing regions or departments throughout the season. The fitness testing first took place for the PCB Challenge Cup and the Senior Inter-District tournaments under the watch of PCB's strength and conditioning coaches across the 107 districts. In the next step around, 400 players vying to secure spots in their respective regional sides for the upcoming domestic season will be tested at their regional headquarters in August. The Under-19 players are also set to take part in the Regional Under-19 One-Day Cup and will undergo fitness testing before the tournament kicks off. The regional first-class players will go through a number of dynamic tests to establish their fitness for competitive domestic cricket and also bringing their names in contention for the domestic contracts for the coming season. The fitness reports will not only be evaluated by the regional coaches but will also be used by the PCB to address fitness challenges faced by the players. In another first, the PCB will also conduct the fitness tests of cricketers contracted by departments in Grade I, II and III. Before this, the departments used to carry their own fitness testing but with the strength and conditioning being top most priority the PCB has decided to collaborate with all the departments as well. The pre-season testing has also been refined and set up in such a way that fully fit players get the opportunities to take the field in domestic cricket enhancing the quality of the competition and skills. The players who fail their tests despite one re-test will not be able to attend any of the domestic tournaments. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
PCB unfolds domestic cricket calendar for 2025-26 season
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Monday announced the domestic cricket calendar for the 2025-26 season, with an emphasis on increased competitiveness, highlighted by an eight-team Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (first-class) tournament. The domestic season will commence on 15th August with the 12-team Hanif Mohammad Trophy (non-first-class) being staged in Karachi, Multan, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan. The teams are divided into two pools, with 31 matches scheduled in the four-day tournament. The top two sides will qualify for this season's premier first-class competition – Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. The 12 regional sides participating in the Hanif Mohammad Trophy are the same teams that competed in last season's Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Based on last season's standings, these are: Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, FATA, Lahore Region Blues, Hyderabad, Karachi Region Blues, Karachi Region Whites, Multan, Quetta, DM Jamali, AJK and Larkana. The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will feature Lahore Region Whites, Sialkot, Peshawar, Islamabad, Abbottabad, Bahawalpur and the two qualifying teams. The tournament is set to begin on 22nd September and will comprise 29 matches in a single-league format, with the final scheduled from 3rd to 7th November. Matches will be held at four venues across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with further details to be announced in due course. To further enhance competitiveness, a qualifying stage has also been introduced for the National T20. 10 teams – Abbottabad, Multan, Quetta, Bahawalpur, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, FATA, Larkana, DM Jamali, and AJK will compete in the qualifier round. These teams will be divided into two pools, with the top two sides progressing to the National T20 (Super 10) tournament, which will be held in Faisalabad from 1st to 12th March. The eight teams automatically qualified for the Super 10 stage are: Karachi Region Whites, Lahore Region Whites, Peshawar, Karachi Region Blues, Sialkot, Islamabad and Faisalabad. Four departmental tournaments – President's Trophy (four-day, first-class), President's Cup (One-Day), President's Trophy Grade II and President's Trophy Grade III will also feature in this domestic season. PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed Syed said, 'We are pleased to unveil a domestic structure that places merit, opportunity and competitiveness at its core. The 2025-26 season has been designed to provide a clear pathway for teams and players to progress based on performance, not reputation.' He said, 'Introducing a qualifier for both the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and the National T20 ensures that every match in our domestic calendar carries significant weight. This not only raises the standard of competition but also fosters a high-performance culture across all formats. The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will now feature the most in-form and deserving teams, while the Hanif Mohammad Trophy gives 12 regions a meaningful chance to stake their claim. Similarly, the Super 10 format of the National T20 is a step towards creating more high-intensity, quality cricket.' He also said, 'Our aim is to reward performance and create a vibrant environment where players and teams are constantly challenged. This structure lays the foundation for a long-term growth and helps us prepare future stars for the demands of international cricket.' Director – Domestic Cricket Operations Abdullah Khurram Niazi said, 'The 2025-26 domestic season reflects our commitment to building a competitive and inclusive structure that nurtures talent at every level, from grassroots to senior cricket. By aligning our tournaments across age-group and senior formats, we are creating a clear development pathway for young cricketers.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Domestic season begins on Aug 15
The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is set to begin on 22 September and will comprise 29 matches in a single-league format. Photo: PCB/File The Pakistan Cricket Board today announces the domestic cricket calendar for the 2025-26 season, with an emphasis on increased competitiveness, highlighted by an eight-team Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (first-class) tournament. The domestic season will commence on 15 August with the 12-team Hanif Mohammad Trophy (non-first-class) being staged in Karachi, Multan, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan. The teams are divided into two pools, with 31 matches scheduled in the four-day tournament. The top two sides will qualify for this season's premier first-class competition – Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. The 12 regional sides participating in the Hanif Mohammad Trophy are the same teams that competed in last season's Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Based on last season's standings, these are: Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, FATA, Lahore Region Blues, Hyderabad, Karachi Region Blues, Karachi Region Whites, Multan, Quetta, D.M Jamali, AJK and Larkana. The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will feature Lahore Region Whites, Sialkot, Peshawar, Islamabad, Abbottabad, Bahawalpur and the two qualifying teams. The tournament is set to begin on 22 September and will comprise 29 matches in a single-league format, with the final scheduled from 3 to 7 November. Matches will be held at four venues across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with further details to be announced in due course. To further enhance competitiveness, a qualifying stage has also been introduced for the National T20. 10 teams – Abbottabad, Multan, Quetta, Bahawalpur, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, FATA, Larkana, D.M. Jamali, and AJK will compete in the qualifier round. These teams will be divided into two pools, with the top two sides progressing to the National T20 (Super 10) tournament, which will be held in Faisalabad from 1 to 12 March. The eight teams automatically qualified for the Super 10 stage are: Karachi Region Whites, Lahore Region Whites, Peshawar, Karachi Region Blues, Sialkot, Islamabad and Faisalabad. Four departmental tournaments – President's Trophy (four-day, first-class), President's Cup (One-Day), President's Trophy Grade II and President's Trophy Grade III will also feature in this domestic season. PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed Syed: "We are pleased to unveil a domestic structure that places merit, opportunity and competitiveness at its core. The 2025-26 season has been designed to provide a clear pathway for teams and players to progress based on performance, not reputation. "Introducing a qualifier for both the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and the National T20 ensures that every match in our domestic calendar carries significant weight. This not only raises the standard of competition but also fosters a high-performance culture across all formats. "The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will now feature the most in-form and deserving teams, while the Hanif Mohammad Trophy gives 12 regions a meaningful chance to stake their claim. Similarly, the Super 10 format of the National T20 is a step towards creating more high-intensity, quality cricket. "Our aim is to reward performance and create a vibrant environment where players and teams are constantly challenged. This structure lays the foundation for a long-term growth and helps us prepare future stars for the demands of international cricket." Director – Domestic Cricket Operations Abdullah Khurram Niazi: "The 2025-26 domestic season reflects our commitment to building a competitive and inclusive structure that nurtures talent at every level, from grassroots to senior cricket. By aligning our tournaments across age-group and senior formats, we are creating a clear development pathway for young cricketers. "We have placed equal emphasis on both regional and departmental cricket. The inclusion of a first-class and a one-day tournament exclusively for departments, along with Grade II and Grade III departmental competitions, ensures departments remain a vital pillar of our domestic cricket system. "We are looking forward to U15, U17 and U19 age-group tournaments this season. These competitions will serve as vital stepping stones for young talent, helping us identify and groom future national stars early in their careers. "Also, the top performers of the Hanif Mohammad Trophy will not only be recognised as guest players by the top regions in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, but they will also be considered for domestic contracts, a move aimed at incentivising excellence."
