Lahore: In an ambitious overhaul of its domestic cricket structure, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the inclusion of three new Champions tournaments in the 2024-25 Men’s Domestic Cricket Season. This strategic addition aims to elevate the competitive standard of domestic cricket and bridge the gap to international play, while also increasing earning opportunities for players across the country.
According to Pakistan Cricket Board, the new season, running from September 1, 2024, to August 5, 2025, will now feature the Champions One-Day Cup, Champions T20 Cup, and Champions First-Class Cup alongside existing tournaments such as the National T20 Cup and Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. The initiative will increase the total number of matches played across the season to 261, a significant rise from the 203 organized in the previous season.
PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi emphasized that the aim of these tournaments is to reflect the intensity of international matches and provide a platform for Pakistan’s cricketers to hone their skills under similar pressures. Each tournament is designed not just to scout talent but to systematically prepare them for international demands.
The Champions tournaments will showcase five teams—Dolphins, Lions, Panthers, Stallions, and Wolves—competing in a rigorous double-league format. Notably, the teams will be mentored by former Pakistan cricket legends, with the names and details to be announced later. The PCB has also outlined enhanced contractual terms for players, including significant increases in monthly retainers and match fees across different categories.
Furthermore, each team will benefit from dedicated facilities at regional high-performance centers located in major cities including Faisalabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Sialkot, ensuring top-level training and development environments.
This structural expansion reflects PCB’s commitment to revamping the cricketing infrastructure in Pakistan, focusing on producing a steady stream of talent capable of performing on the world stage. The introduction of these high-stake tournaments is expected to not only improve the quality of domestic cricket but also ensure that players are well-prepared and adequately compensated.