PCB to kick off 2025-26 domestic season with Hanif Mohammad Trophy on August 29

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the 2025-26 domestic cricket season will begin with the Hanif Mohammad Trophy, a non-first-class tournament featuring 12 regional teams.

The competition will be staged from August 29 to September 25 across Bahawalpur, Multan, Karachi, and Rahim Yar Khan.

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the tournament, named in honour of Pakistan’s legendary former Test captain late Hanif Mohammad, will feature four-day 30 matches.

The 12 participating regional teams have been divided into two groups, with each team set to play five matches during the group stage.

The top team from each group will qualify for the prestigious Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, the country’s premier first-class cricket tournament.

Group A consists of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Faisalabad, Hyderabad, Karachi Whites, Lahore Blues, and Quetta regions.
Group B features Dera Murad Jamali, FATA, Karachi Blues, Larkana, Multan, and Rawalpindi regions.

The tournament’s format aims to provide competitive opportunities for regional cricketers while serving as a gateway to top-tier domestic cricket.

Hanif Mohammad, regarded as one of Pakistan’s greatest batsmen, represented the national side in 55 Test matches between 1952 and 1969, scoring 3,915 runs.

 In recognition of his remarkable contribution to the sport, Hanif was inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame in 2020.