PCB announces major changes to Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure


The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Monday the launch of the Champions domestic tournaments, aimed at transforming the country’s cricketing ecosystem and narrowing the gap with international cricket.

During a press conference at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi unveiled plans for the Champions One-Day Cup, T20 Cup, and First-Class Cup. These tournaments will showcase top-performing domestic cricketers alongside centrally contracted players.

Accompanied by PCB Chief Operating Officer Salman Nasser and newly-appointed Adviser on Cricket Affairs Waqar Younis, Naqvi emphasized that Pakistan’s current rankings in all three formats do not accurately reflect the true potential and rich legacy of the nation’s cricket.

Naqvi highlighted the importance of innovation and strategic enhancements in the domestic structure. He stated that the Champions tournaments would provide domestic cricketers with an environment that mirrors the pressures and intensity of international cricket.

“These Champions tournaments will offer our players a chance to experience the rigors of international cricket right here at home. This initiative is vital for building a strong and competitive domestic structure that consistently produces world-class talent,” Naqvi said, according to a press release issued by the PCB.

The introduction of the Champions tournaments brings the total number of matches organized by the PCB to 261 across eight men’s senior tournaments.

Five teams—Dolphins, Lions, Panthers, Stallions, and Wolves—will compete in a double-league format. These teams will feature around 150 of the top-performing domestic players from the past three years, along with available centrally contracted players. Each team will also have a former Pakistan cricket star as a mentor and possibly as an owner. Additionally, the teams will be assigned dedicated regional high-performance centers in Faisalabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Sialkot.

The Champions One-Day Cup, scheduled from September 1 to 29, will serve as the opening event of the PCB Men’s Domestic Cricket Season 2024-25, featuring 21 matches. The Champions T20 Cup will take place from December 21 to January 2, followed by the Champions First-Class Cup from May 28 to August 5, each with 21 matches.

The PCB also announced enhanced domestic contracts for 150 players, categorized as follows:

  • Category 1: 40 players will receive Rs550,000 per month.
  • Category 2: 50 players will receive Rs400,000 per month.
  • Category 3: 60 players will receive Rs250,000 per month.

In addition to the monthly retainers, players will earn increased match fees: Rs200,000 for red-ball cricket, Rs125,000 for 50-over matches, and Rs100,000 for T20 matches.



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