LAHORE, Pakistan — The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rolled out a landmark reform, mandating that all centrally contracted and international players must participate in at least one domestic cricket tournament per season. The policy aims to strengthen the domestic cricket ecosystem and reinforce Pakistan’s player development pipeline.
The directive was announced during a high-level meeting chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi at Gaddafi Stadium, where the board also reviewed the international calendar and initiated planning for central contracts for the 2025–26 cycle.
Domestic cricket participation made mandatory for national players
In a bold policy shift, Naqvi emphasized that domestic appearances are now compulsory for all national players when they are not engaged in international duties.
“It is mandatory for all international players to feature in at least one domestic tournament,” Naqvi said. “This will help nurture young talent and ensure a strong domestic system that serves as a pipeline for the national team.”
This requirement is expected to elevate the competitiveness of Pakistan’s domestic circuit and offer emerging cricketers exposure to elite-level performance standards. By sharing the field with seasoned internationals, young players will gain valuable experience and insight into the demands of top-tier cricket.
Central contracts overhaul in progress
Parallel to the domestic mandate, the PCB has begun work on finalizing new central contracts ahead of the 2025–26 season. Naqvi has instructed officials to meet the July 30 deadline — a departure from previous years when deadlines were missed.
The upcoming contracts will include updated clauses on player availability, domestic obligations, and performance benchmarks, ensuring better alignment between international commitments and domestic structures.
Champions Cup discontinued in domestic restructuring
In another structural shift, the PCB has decided to scrap the Champions Cup, a multi-format domestic tournament launched last year. Despite substantial investments, including the hiring of five mentors for each franchise, the competition will not return this season.
The board now aims to focus on a more integrated domestic framework that better mirrors the national team’s strategies and selection dynamics.
Packed international schedule revealed
Director of International Cricket Usman Wahla shared a comprehensive breakdown of Pakistan’s upcoming international fixtures. As reported by Geo Super, the schedule includes:
- Bangladesh tour (T20Is): July 20, 22, and 24 in Mirpur
- West Indies tour (ODIs & T20Is): July 31 to August 12
- Home series vs South Africa: October–November, including Tests and limited-overs matches
- Sri Lanka series (ODIs & T20Is): Scheduled for November
The Asia Cup 2025 also remains on the PCB’s radar, though final decisions on its venue and schedule are still pending.
Senior leadership aligned behind reforms
The meeting was attended by the PCB’s top brass, including:
- Head Coach: Mike Hesson
- COO: Sameer Ahmed
- Team Manager: Naveed Akram Cheema
- Director of High Performance: Aaqib Javed
- Director of International Cricket: Usman Wahla
- White-ball Captain: Salman Ali Agha
With clear mandates and timelines, the PCB is aligning domestic and international priorities to build depth, consistency, and long-term competitiveness in Pakistan cricket.
