To enhance the competitiveness and appeal of domestic cricket and to provide greater opportunities for emerging talent, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the introduction of three new Champions tournaments for the 2024-25 season.
New Tournaments:
- Champions One-Day Cup: Set to kick off the season from September 1 to 29, featuring 21 matches.
- Champions T20 Cup: Scheduled from December 21 to January 2, also with 21 matches.
- Champions First-Class Cup: The season will conclude with this tournament from May 28 to August 5, comprising 21 matches.
Expanded Domestic Calendar:
With these additions, the 2024-25 season will see a total of 261 matches across eight senior tournaments, compared to 203 matches in the previous season. The breakdown includes:
- 131 First-Class Matches (in three events)
- 40 50-Over Matches (in two events)
- 97 T20 Matches (in three events)
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Existing Tournaments:
- President’s Cup (50-over): October 3-15
- Quaid-e-Azam Trophy: October 20-December 18
- President’s Trophy (First-Class): January 6-March 7
- National T20 Cup: March 13-21
- Pakistan Super League 2025: April 10-May 25
Development and Pathway Tournaments:
In addition to these tournaments, the PCB will organize 11 development/pathway events, complementing the three Pakistan Shaheens and one Pakistan U19 series. This initiative aims to provide approximately 13,000 matches across various age and skill levels to nurture emerging talent.
PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi’s Vision:
PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi emphasized that the introduction of these Champions tournaments represents a significant step towards bridging the gap between domestic and international cricket. He believes these tournaments will offer players a taste of international cricket’s intensity, with added exposure through media coverage and elite coaching.
Naqvi stated, “These tournaments are not just about bridging the gap between domestic and international cricket; they are about revolutionising and rejuvenating our entire cricketing ecosystem.”
The new structure aims to enhance Pakistan’s cricketing prowess, with a focus on creating a robust domestic environment that consistently produces top-tier talent for international competitions.
