LAHORE: Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and Kingsmen Academy are set to replace the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and Sahir Associates in the President’s Trophy and President’s Cup Grade-I competitions for the domestic season 2026-27.The
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday confirmed changes to its Grade One departmental cricket structure after WAPDA and Sahir Associates failed to meet the board’s required standards.
According to the PCB, WAPDA and Sahir Associates did not fulfill the governing body’s criteria for participation in departmental cricket. The board said it would make no compromise on the on-field and off-field standards expected of departmental teams.
Under the revised regulations, all departmental teams will be required to implement the PCB’s fitness policy and ensure transparency in the payment of annual player contracts, match fees, and daily allowances.
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The PCB has also made it mandatory for each of the eight Grade One departmental teams to field at least one Under-21 player in every first-class and List A match. Teams will additionally be required to provide players with quality accommodation and meals during tournaments.
The board reiterated that departmental cricket remains the backbone of Pakistan’s domestic structure and said all participating departments would work alongside the PCB to promote player welfare.
The eight teams set to compete in Grade One are SNGPL, KRL, Kingsmen Academy, OGDCL, PTV, Ghani Glass, MIT Solutions, and the State Bank of Pakistan.
Senior General Manager of Domestic Cricket Osama Sharoon said the PCB would continue striving to maintain the highest professional standards in domestic cricket.
“There can be no compromise on merit and accountability in the organization of departmental cricket,” Sharoon said.
He added that the primary objective was to develop players by providing a highly competitive domestic structure, noting that departmental cricket has historically played a vital role in the growth of Pakistan cricket.
