The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has introduced an exciting overhaul to the domestic cricket season, which now features three new competitions aimed at bridging the gap between domestic and international cricket.
The restructuring of the domestic cricket season in Pakistan will revolutionize the game. The new structure will extend the season from September 2024 to August 2025, spanning nearly a year. This significant change promises to elevate the standard of cricket in the country, providing players with more opportunities to showcase their skills and refine their techniques.
Expanded Domestic Cricket Structure
Domestic cricket in Pakistan will now comprise:
- Three First-Class Tournaments: Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, President’s Trophy, Champions Pentagular
- Two List-A Tournaments: President’s Cup, Champions One-Day Cup
- Three T20 Tournaments: National T20 Cup, PSL, Champions T20 Cup
This expansion increases the number of senior men’s matches from 203 to 261, providing more opportunities for players to develop and showcase their skills.
Introduction of the Champions Tournaments
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to initiate three new Champions Tournaments:
- Champions One-Day Cup (September 1 to 29)
- Champions T20 Cup (December 21 to January 2)
- Champions Pentagular (First-Class, May 28 to August 5)
These tournaments feature five teams: Dolphins, Lions, Panthers, Stallions, and Wolves. This initiative aims to “bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket,” according to the PCB.
Vision and Objective of the Champions Tournaments
Emphasizing the significance of this expansion, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated:
“Our current standings – sixth in Tests, fourth in ODIs, and seventh in T20Is – do not reflect the true potential and legacy of Pakistan cricket. We must innovate and strategically enhance, expand, and strengthen our domestic structure to restore our rightful place at the top of world cricket. The introduction of the three Champions tournaments is a bold step in this direction.”
Structure of the Champions Tournaments
The Champions tournaments will involve around 150 of Pakistan’s top players. These tournaments will bring together the most talented and consistent performers from domestic cricket alongside centrally contracted players, creating an environment that mirrors the intensity of international cricket. The specific details and criteria for the selection process have not yet been made public.
In support of this initiative, Waqar Younis, the recently appointed advisor to the chair on matters of cricket, expresses his endorsement. Younis, who was present during the announcement in Lahore, will oversee the cricketing side of matters within the board, in a role similar to that of Rob Key at the ECB.
Team Composition and Support Staff in the Champions Tournaments
Each of the five teams in the Champions tournaments will potentially have an owner and a mentor, aside from the regular coaching staff, which includes a head coach, an analyst, and a media manager. Every team will have an exclusive high-performance center in Sialkot, Lahore, Karachi, Multan, and Faisalabad.
Enhanced Player Contracts and Match Fees for the Champions Tournaments
Additionally, the PCB has granted more contracts to domestic players.:
- Category 1: PKR 550,000
- Category 2: PKR 400,000
- Category 3: PKR 250,000
For the 2023-24 season, the contracts were significantly lower, with Category A+ receiving PKR 300,000 and Category F receiving PKR 50,000.
Additionally, match fees for domestic games have been increased:
- 50-over cricket: PKR 125,000
- T20 cricket: PKR 100,000
- Red-ball cricket: PKR 200,000
Mohsin Naqvi about the Champions Tournaments
“The Champions tournaments are not just about bridging the gap between domestic and international cricket, they are about revolutionizing and rejuvenating our entire cricketing ecosystem,” said Naqvi. “We are dedicated to identifying, nurturing and preparing our best talent to represent Pakistan on the global stage.”
Naqvi added,
“The Champions tournaments will offer our players a platform to experience the rigors and pressures of international cricket right here at home. This is crucial for building a robust and highly competitive domestic structure that consistently produces world-class talent.”
Season Overview of the Champions Tournaments
The PCB‘s domestic cricket season for 2024-25 will see an unprecedented number of matches:
- Total Matches: 261
- First-Class Matches: 131
- 50-Over Matches: 40
- T20 Matches: 90
In comparison, the 2023-24 season had:
- Total Matches: 203
- First-Class Matches: 51
- 50-Over Matches: 55
- T20 Matches: 97
This increase is aimed at providing more competitive opportunities and better preparation for international cricket.
Development and Pathway Matches
In addition to the senior men’s tournaments, the PCB will organize around 13,000 development and pathway matches across various levels, including schools, colleges, universities, clubs, U15, U17, and U19. This initiative aims to nurture young talent and provide a clear pathway to professional cricket.
“The investments we are making through the Champions tournaments will pay immense dividends. We are creating a clear and progressive pathway from clubs, schools, and universities to intra-district, inter-district, regional/department competitions,” said Naqvi.
Salient Features of the Champions Tournaments
Competitive Format
The Champions tournaments will follow a double-league format, ensuring that each team plays against every other team multiple times. This format is designed to provide more competitive and high-pressure matches, preparing players for the rigours of international cricket.
Selection of Top Talent
Around 150 of the country’s highest-performing domestic players from the past three years, along with centrally contracted players, will be available for selection. This ensures that the best talent is showcased and further developed through these tournaments.
Mentorship and Ownership
Each team in the Champions tournaments will have a former Pakistan superstar as a mentor, providing invaluable guidance and inspiration to the players. Additionally, each team will potentially have an owner, further professionalizing the structure and management of the teams.
Comprehensive Support Staff
The support staff for each team will include:
- Head Coach (minimum Level 3, with at least five years of experience with a first-class side)
- Batting, Bowling, and Fielding Coaches (minimum Level 3, with at least three years of experience)
- Strength and Conditioning Coach
- Physiotherapist
- Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Media/Digital Media Manager
This extensive support structure ensures that players receive the best training, analysis, and medical support.
High-Performance Centers
Each team will be allocated a dedicated High-Performance Center in one of the following cities:
- Faisalabad (High Performance Centre Faisalabad)
- Karachi (Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre)
- Lahore (National Cricket Academy)
- Multan (Inzamam-ul-Haq High Performance Centre)
- Sialkot (High Performance Centre, Sialkot)
These centers will serve as training and practice facilities, providing state-of-the-art resources for player development.
Financial Incentives and Enhanced Contracts
The PCB has significantly increased the financial incentives for domestic players to attract and retain top talent:
- Category 1: 40 players will receive PKR 550,000 per month.
- Category 2: 50 players will receive PKR 400,000 per month.
- Category 3: 60 players will receive PKR 250,000 per month.
For the 2023-24 season, contracts were considerably lower, with Category A+ receiving PKR 300,000 and Category F receiving PKR 50,000.
Additionally, match fees have been increased to provide additional financial motivation:
- 50-over cricket: PKR 125,000
- T20 cricket: PKR 100,000
- Red-ball cricket: PKR 200,000
In contrast to the current season, the previous season’s match fees for red-ball cricket were PKR 80,000, while for white-ball cricket, they were PKR 40,000.
Read the Official Press Release Here.
Commitment to Development and Grassroots Cricket
The PCB‘s commitment to nurturing young talent is evident in its plan to organize around 13,000 development and pathway matches. These matches will be held across various levels, from schools and colleges to clubs and regional competitions. This extensive program is aimed at identifying and developing the next generation of cricketing stars.
“The investments we are making through the Champions tournaments will pay immense dividends. We are creating a clear and progressive pathway from clubs, schools, and universities to intra-district, inter-district, regional/department competitions,” said Naqvi.
Strategic Objectives
Mohsin Naqvi articulated the strategic objectives behind these initiatives: “Our goal is to create a seamless pathway for young cricketers, ensuring they receive the best training and competitive opportunities. By investing in our domestic structure, we are laying the foundation for sustained success at the international level.”
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The PCB‘s introduction of three new competitions, coupled with enhanced player contracts and a comprehensive development program, marks a significant step towards revitalizing Pakistan’s domestic cricket. These initiatives are expected to create a more competitive environment, attract top talent, and ultimately improve the performance of the national team on the global stage.
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FAQs:
What recent competitions has the PCB initiated?
The PCB has introduced the Champions One-Day Cup, Champions T20 Cup, and Champions Pentagular.
How many matches will be played in the new domestic season?
The total number of senior men’s matches will increase from 203 to 261.
Who will participate in the Champions tournaments?
Pakistan’s top 150 players, encompassing centrally-contracted players and standout performers in domestic competitions, will take part in the upcoming event.
What is the purpose of the new competitions?
The new competitions aim to bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket, provide a more competitive environment, and create better earning opportunities for players.
