In a landmark move aimed at revitalizing Pakistan’s domestic cricket landscape, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the introduction of a three-tiered Departmental Cricket structure for the 2025-26 season.
This pioneering format, set to commence in August 2025 and run through May 2026, is being introduced to inject fresh competitiveness and clarity into the domestic circuit, with over 40 departmental teams across the country participating across all three formats.
Previously, departmental cricket operated on a two-tier system, but the PCB’s latest revamp introduces a third tier—Grade-III—designed to foster a promotion and relegation dynamic to enhance competition at every level. A comprehensive slate of competitions, including First-class, List-A, three-day, and two-day matches is planned for all three tiers, ensuring players get ample opportunity to showcase their skills across formats.
The Grade-III tier, debuting this season, will feature a two-day match competition scheduled for March and April 2026. The top two teams from Grade-III will earn promotion to Grade-II for the following season, while the bottom two teams from Grade-II will face relegation, creating a clear pathway for departmental sides.
The President’s Trophy Grade-II will feature 14 teams this year, including 12 qualifiers from the previous season and two relegated sides from Grade-I. This tournament, comprising three-day matches, will run from March to May 2026. The stakes are high, as the winner will secure promotion to the elite first-class and List-A departmental competitions in the next season.
The PCB also plans to introduce a 50-over competition for Grade-II teams in the near future, further expanding the competitive landscape.
In a progressive step, several departments are also expected to form women’s teams in the coming months, signaling the PCB’s commitment to bolstering the women’s domestic cricket structure. The board is expected to share more details on this in the future.
With this comprehensive restructuring, the PCB aims to create a more competitive, transparent, and sustainable domestic cricket framework that can strengthen the pipeline feeding into the national team. With all the changes introduced by the PCB, the 2025-26 season may end up defining the next chapter of Pakistan’s cricketing journey.
