By Agencies
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday announced a revamped three-tier departmental cricket structure for the 2025-26 domestic season, marking a significant development in the country’s domestic setup.
Set to commence in August and conclude in May 2026, the season will feature over 40 departmental teams divided across three grades — I, II and III. The structure introduces promotion and relegation mechanisms aimed at enhancing competitiveness.
Grade-III, a new addition to the structure, will feature a two-day tournament scheduled for March-April 2026. Teams in this tier have been selected based on their performances in the 2024-25 President’s Trophy Grade-II. The top two Grade-III sides will be promoted to Grade-II next season, while the bottom two Grade-II teams will be relegated.
As many as 12 teams have retained their places in Grade-II, joined by two relegated sides from Grade-I — Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Eshaal Associates — forming a 14-team competition.
The Grade-II