Lahore: The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26 is poised to captivate cricket enthusiasts as it commences on 6 October across four cities, namely Abbottabad, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Rawalpindi. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the schedule today, underscoring the tournament’s significance as a centerpiece of the domestic cricket season.

This prestigious first-class competition will adhere to a single-league round-robin format, encompassing nine rounds from 6 October to 26 November. The top two teams will advance to a five-day final, slated for 29 November to 3 December. While the 46-match series will unfold across renowned venues such as Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Shoaib Akhtar Stadium in Rawalpindi, Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar, and the Diamond and Marghzar Cricket Grounds in Islamabad, the final’s venue remains under wraps.

The competition boasts ten formidable teams: Abbottabad, Bahawalpur, FATA, Faisalabad, Islamabad, Karachi Blues, Lahore Whites, Multan, Peshawar, and Sialkot. FATA, Faisalabad, Karachi Blues, and Multan earned their spots by dominating the Hanif Mohammad Trophy.

Highlighting the initial round is a much-anticipated rematch at Imran Khan Stadium between defending champions Sialkot and Peshawar. Sialkot narrowly clinched victory in last year’s final by a single wicket in a thrilling encounter.

Additional first-round fixtures include Abbottabad versus Bahawalpur at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Lahore Whites against Islamabad at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, FATA facing Multan at Diamond Cricket Ground, Islamabad, and Faisalabad taking on Karachi Blues at Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad. The announcement of team squads is expected soon.