The President’s Trophy is poised to kick off from 16 December 2023, heralding the resurgence of departmental cricket in Pakistan’s domestic cricket landscape. Spanning from 16 December till 31 January 2024, this first-class tournament will unfold across three prominent venues in Karachi – National Bank Stadium, UBL Sports Complex, and SBP Sports Complex.
This riveting tournament features seven esteemed departmental teams competing against each other in a round-robin format. Over the course of the competition, the teams will engage in 22 matches, comprising seven rounds of league-stage fixtures, culminating in a five-day final scheduled from 27 to 31 January 2024 between the top two contenders.
The revival of the President’s Trophy marks a significant return of departmental cricket, formulated after the restoration of the PCB 2014 Constitution. Notably, the last edition of this prestigious tournament unfolded in the 2018-19 domestic season, with State Bank of Pakistan clinching the title.
Departmental cricket’s resurgence presents an additional avenue for players to earn through their participation in supplementary tournaments post the conclusion of the regions-based domestic tournament cycle. This cycle included the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (won by Karachi Whites), Pakistan Cup (won by Peshawar), and National T20 Cup (secured by Karachi Whites).
Seven formidable teams are set to vie for supremacy in the President’s Trophy: Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), Pakistan Television (PTV), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), Higher Education Commission (HEC), and Ghani Glass.
The inaugural round of fixtures includes compelling matchups:
- SNGPL will take on Ghani Glass at National Bank Stadium.
- PTV will clash against SBP at SBP Sports Complex.
- WAPDA will face off against KRL at UBL Sports Complex.
Nadeem Khan, Director of Domestic Cricket Operations, expressed optimism about the resurgence of departmental cricket, anticipating a boost in depth and competition within the domestic circuit. Khan further mentioned the inclusion of HEC and Ghani Glass in the tournament on a trial basis, with future decisions on their continued participation to be based on their performance and competitiveness at the first-class level.
The President’s Trophy promises an exciting revival of departmental cricket, showcasing Pakistan’s rich cricketing heritage and fostering competitive spirit within the domestic cricket landscape.
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