PCB Unveils Major Domestic Cricket Overhaul with New Champions Tournaments
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled a comprehensive overhaul of its domestic cricket structure, introducing three new competitions and significantly enhancing player contracts and match fees. The ambitious plan aims to bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket and elevate Pakistan’s standing in the global cricketing landscape.
The centerpiece of the new structure is the Champions tournament, a five-team competition that will span across formats. The Dolphins, Lions, Panthers, Stallions, and Wolves will compete in the Champions One-Day Cup, Champions T20 Cup, and Champions Pentagular (first-class cricket). The tournaments will run from September 2024 to August 2025, effectively extending the domestic season by almost a year.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi emphasized the need for innovation and strategic enhancements to restore Pakistan’s cricketing prowess. He believes that the Champions tournaments will create an environment that mirrors the intensity of international cricket, fostering the development of top-tier players.
The Champions tournaments will feature around 150 of Pakistan’s most talented and consistent domestic performers, including centrally-contracted players. The selection process remains to be determined, but the plan has received the endorsement of Waqar Younis, the newly appointed advisor to the chair on cricket affairs.
Each of the five teams will have a potential owner and mentor, in addition to a dedicated high-performance center and a full complement of coaching staff. The PCB has also raised domestic player contracts, with Category 1 players now earning PKR 550,000, Category 2 players earning PKR 400,000, and Category 3 players earning PKR 250,000.
Match fees have also been increased significantly, with white-ball matches now paying PKR 125,000 (50-over cricket) and PKR 100,000 (T20 cricket), while red-ball matches will pay PKR 200,000.
The PCB’s bold initiative aims to create a more competitive and rewarding domestic cricket environment, fostering the development of world-class players and ultimately elevating Pakistan’s standing in international cricket.