Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and Kingsmen Academy are set to replace Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and Sahir Associates in the President’s Trophy and Cup Grade-I for the upcoming 2026-27 domestic cricket season, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Tuesday.
In order to enhance the quality of cricket and maintain high standards of domestic cricket, a number of regulations have been shared with the first-class departmental teams. These regulations are in order to run the President’s Trophy and Cup Grade-I events in a more professional manner after reviewing the last iteration of both events.
Sahir Associates and WAPDA were not able to comply with the PCB’s regulations and have been replaced. Moreover, Departments are set to conduct mandatory fitness tests for their players in line with the domestic cricket’s new fitness policy issued by the PCB for season 2026-27. According to the circulated policy, a criterion has been set to include at least one U21 player in the playing XI of all departments in white and red-ball tournaments.
The departments will have to meet the regulations including that of the audit of all participating teams by the PCB during and after tournaments to ensure players are paid their due annual contractual fees, match fees, daily allowances through accounts in a transparent manner along with the provision of sound accommodation and quality food while maintaining the high standards required to take part in first-class and List-A cricket.
Departmental Cricket is the backbone of Pakistan’s Domestic cricket and it is expected that every single department abides by the high standards set for player contracts and salaries, player accommodation, pre-season fitness tests and welfare of players, which is of paramount importance to the PCB.
The complete pool of eight Grade-I teams for the 2026-27 season includes Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), Kingsmen Academy, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Pakistan Television (PTV), Ghani Glass, MIT Solutions, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL).
Osama Sharoon, Senior General Manager Domestic Cricket Operations PCB:
“In our continuous efforts to maintain high standards of professional cricket in the domestic cricket circuit we have further streamlined the Grade-I departmental cricket teams as merit and accountability are two virtues that cannot be compromised when it comes to player welfare and providing top-quality cricket playing opportunities.
“As per Chairman PCB’s vision there is no room whatsoever for deviation from merit and high standards of professional cricket and players’ welfare in the country. Departmental cricket has played a huge role in nurturing talent across years in Pakistan and it should continue to progress and improve every season.
“Our central theme remains player development through competitive cricket tournaments at the domestic level and we will go to all lengths to implement high standards across the board continuously.”
