Pakistan’s domestic red-ball cricket season is set to begin with the President’s Trophy Grade-I 2026–27, bringing departmental cricket back into focus. The first-class tournament will feature eight teams and begin on September 12, 2026. It will run through seven rounds before the top two sides meet in the five-day final from October 24 to 28.
The tournament is an important part of Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure. It gives experienced players a platform to compete in longer-format cricket while also creating opportunities for emerging cricketers to develop their skills. With four-day matches scheduled across Peshawar, Abbottabad, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi, the competition will test batting endurance, bowling depth, and squad consistency.
Background of the President’s Trophy
The President’s Trophy is one of Pakistan’s major domestic first-class competitions. It is built around departmental teams, with organizations from different sectors competing in the longer format of the game.
Departmental cricket has traditionally played an important role in Pakistan. Several established cricketers have developed through teams representing banks, energy companies, government organizations, and other departments. These sides provide structured playing opportunities beyond the provincial system.
The competition also has a strong connection with Pakistan’s wider talent-development pathway. Players who perform consistently in domestic first-class cricket can attract attention from selectors and strengthen their claims for higher-level opportunities.
The previous edition also demonstrated the competitive nature of the tournament. In the 2025–26 President’s Trophy Grade-I, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited finished the league stage strongly and went on to beat Water and Power Development Authority in the final.
The new season therefore arrives with a mixture of established departmental cricket and new entrants looking to make an impact.
Eight Teams to Compete
Eight departmental teams will participate in the 2026–27 President’s Trophy Grade-I.
They are Ghani Glass, Khan Research Laboratories, Kingsmen Academy, Markhor IT Solutions, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited, Pakistan Television, State Bank of Pakistan, and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited.
Two teams will make their first-class debut in the competition. Markhor IT Solutions, formerly referred to as MIT Solutions in the tournament announcement, earned promotion after winning the President’s Trophy Grade-II, while Kingsmen Academy reached the top level after finishing as runners-up.
Their arrival adds a new dimension to the tournament. Both sides will face more experienced opponents and will need to adapt quickly to the demands of four-day cricket.
Tournament Format
The President’s Trophy Grade-I will use a single-league round-robin format.
Each team will play seven matches during the league stage. With eight teams competing, the tournament will produce 28 four-day first-class matches across seven rounds. Four matches will be played during each round.
At the end of the league stage, the top two teams will qualify for the final.
The final will be played over five days from October 24 to October 28. The venue for the championship match is yet to be confirmed.
This structure places considerable importance on consistency. A single strong performance will not be enough to reach the final. Teams will need to collect points throughout the competition and maintain their standards across seven matches.
Opening Round Begins on September 12
The first round will begin on Saturday, September 12.
Ghani Glass will face KRL at Imran Khan Stadium in Peshawar. At Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Markhor IT Solutions will meet Kingsmen Academy in a match between two teams entering the first-class competition at this level.
Pakistan Television will take on OGDCL at Diamond Cricket Ground in Islamabad, while State Bank of Pakistan will play SNGPL at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.
The opening round should provide an early indication of which teams have adapted best to the conditions and the longer format.
Four Cities to Host Matches
The tournament will be played across four cities: Peshawar, Abbottabad, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi.
The four designated venues are Imran Khan Stadium in Peshawar, Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Diamond Cricket Ground in Islamabad, and Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.
Using several venues can create different challenges for teams. Pitch behavior, weather conditions, and ground dimensions may vary from one location to another.
For batters, building long innings will be crucial. Bowlers, meanwhile, will need to adjust their methods depending on the conditions. Teams with greater depth in both departments could benefit as the competition progresses.
Experienced Players Add Interest
The tournament will also feature several well-known domestic and international-level players.
SNGPL’s announced roster includes captain Shan Masood and vice-captain Mohammad Rizwan, alongside players such as Abdullah Shafique, Sajid Khan, and Shahnawaz Dahani. Ghani Glass also has an experienced squad led by Noman Ali, with players including Shadab Khan, Sharjeel Khan, and Tayyab Tahir.
Their involvement adds quality to the competition and gives younger players the opportunity to play alongside experienced cricketers.
For Pakistan’s domestic system, this type of competition is particularly valuable because emerging players can be tested against opponents with extensive professional experience.
Why the Tournament Matters
The President’s Trophy Grade-I is more than a departmental competition. It is part of the foundation of Pakistan’s red-ball cricket structure.
First-class cricket tests qualities that cannot always be measured in shorter formats. Players must manage long spells, build partnerships, concentrate for extended periods, and adapt their game according to match situations.
For young players, the tournament can also provide an important stepping stone. Strong performances over several matches can help them gain recognition and potentially move toward higher levels of domestic or national cricket.
The 2026–27 edition is especially interesting because it combines established departmental teams with two first-class newcomers. That creates an opportunity for experienced sides to defend their position while new teams attempt to establish themselves.
What to Watch in 2026–27
The race for the top two places will be one of the central stories of the tournament.
SNGPL enters with a strong group of experienced players, while teams such as KRL, Ghani Glass, SBP, and PTV will be looking to build consistent campaigns. The newcomers, meanwhile, will attempt to make an immediate impression.
The longer format could also highlight players who may not receive as much attention in T20 cricket. Patient batters, specialist red-ball bowlers, and all-rounders capable of contributing across four days could become important figures.
With the final scheduled for late October, teams have a relatively short window to establish themselves and remain competitive.
The President’s Trophy Grade-I 2026–27 therefore promises a valuable test of Pakistan’s domestic first-class depth. From established departmental names to new first-class entrants, the tournament will provide another important stage for players seeking to prove themselves in red-ball cricket.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the President’s Trophy Grade-I 2026–27 start?
The President’s Trophy Grade-I 2026–27 begins on September 12, 2026. The tournament will feature seven rounds of four-day first-class matches before the top two teams qualify for the five-day final.
How many teams are participating?
Eight teams will compete in the 2026–27 President’s Trophy Grade-I. They are Ghani Glass, KRL, Kingsmen Academy, Markhor IT Solutions, OGDCL, PTV, SBP, and SNGPL.
Which teams are making their first-class debut?
Markhor IT Solutions and Kingsmen Academy are making their first-class debut in the President’s Trophy Grade-I. Markhor IT Solutions won Grade-II, while Kingsmen Academy finished as runners-up.
Where will the matches be played?
Matches will be staged in Peshawar, Abbottabad, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi. The listed venues are Imran Khan Stadium, Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Diamond Cricket Ground, and Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium.
When is the President’s Trophy final?
The final is scheduled for October 24 to 28, 2026. It will be a five-day match between the top two teams from the league stage, with the final venue to be confirmed.