LAHORE: Pakistan opener Faqar Zaman has welcomed Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to expand the regional first-class structure, describing it as a long-awaited move that will create more opportunities for young cricketers across the country.
The left-handed batsman shared his reaction on social media shortly after the PCB released the men’s domestic cricket calendar for the 2026-27 season on Thursday, which features an expanded first-class system, two List A tournaments and an improved school cricket programme.
“Finally! After many years, all regions will compete together in first-class cricket. A proper domestic system creates real opportunities for young players. This is what we need. Credit to PCB. Every young cricketer deserves a chance to prove themselves,” Faqar wrote on X.
The PCB’s revamped domestic system introduces one additional regional team each from Sialkot and Peshawar, along with Karachi and Lahore, leaving only four of the country’s 16 regions fielding two teams.
The prestigious Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will now have two divisions. The erstwhile Hanib Mohammad Trophy has been upgraded to first-class status and renamed Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Silver, while the premier competition will continue as Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold.
The Gold Division, featuring the top eight teams from last season, will play in Islamabad, Peshawar, Abbottabad and Rawalpindi from November 1 to December 17. Each team will play seven first-class matches before the two teams meet in the final.
The Silver Division comprises 12 teams, including newcomers Sialkot and Peshawar, relegated Abbottabad and Bahawalpur and the remaining eight teams from last season’s Hanif Mohammad Trophy. The winners will be promoted to the Gold Division for the 2027-28 season.
The 2026–27 domestic calendar runs from August 11 to June 15 and features three first-class matches, two List A matches, two non-first-class three-day events, two T20 matches, age-group championships, departmental cricket, district matches and an expanded school cricket programme.
As Pakistan prepares for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, the season begins with two List A matches, while the PCB has introduced an under-19 red ball tournament for all 16 regions and expanded the talent hunt program to 1,200 schools from 450 schools in 100 districts.
comments