Lahore: The Rivaj Presents University of Lahore President's Trophy Grade-I first-class cricket tournament is set to begin on Saturday, marking the return of Shaheen Shah Afridi to Khan Research Laboratories (KRL). The tournament will unfold across four cities—Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Abbottabad—with matches live-streamed on Tapmad, Tamasha, and the PCB Official YouTube channel.

According to Pakistan Cricket Board, the tournament features a prize pot of PKR 12.7 million, with winners earning PKR 7.5 million and runners-up securing PKR four million. Eight teams will compete in the seven-round event, leading up to a five-day final scheduled from October 24 to 28. Each round will comprise four matches, with the opening round beginning on September 12.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan's ODI captain, will lead KRL at the Imran Khan Stadium in Peshawar. The left-arm fast bowler, who made his first-class debut with KRL in 2017, is eager to return to red-ball cricket, saying it is crucial for his preparation ahead of the upcoming international series against Sri Lanka and England. Afridi's team includes notable players such as Iftikhar Ahmed and Fakhar Zaman.

Matches in Rawalpindi will see State Bank of Pakistan facing Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, while Pakistan Television will compete against Oil and Gas Development Company Limited at the Diamond Cricket Ground. Abbottabad Cricket Stadium will host first-class debutants MIT Solutions against Kingsmen Academy. The tournament promises to be a significant event in Pakistan's domestic cricket calendar.