The 68th edition of Pakistan’s most prestigious first-class cricket tournament, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025–26, begins on 6 October 2025. This season promises thrilling matches, tough competition, and a handsome prize pool. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a total prize of PKR 13.775 million, making it one of the most rewarding domestic cricket events in the country.
The defending champions Sialkot, who won the previous edition in a nail-biting one-wicket finish against Peshawar, are set to defend their title. The tournament will be held across five venues in four major cities—Abbottabad, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar.
Tournament Format and Schedule
The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025–26 will feature 10 regional teams, divided across multiple rounds. Each of the nine rounds will have five matches, with at least two of them live-streamed on the PCB’s official YouTube Channel to bring the action closer to fans.
The opening round starts on 6 October 2025, with matches scheduled as follows:
- Abbottabad vs Bahawalpur at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium
- Lahore Whites vs Islamabad at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
- Peshawar vs Sialkot at Imran Khan Stadium, Peshawar (Live-streamed)
- FATA vs Multan at Diamond Cricket Ground, Islamabad (Live-streamed)
- Faisalabad vs Karachi Blues at Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad
Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025–26 – Match Schedule
6–9 October
- Abbottabad vs Bahawalpur — Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad
- Lahore Whites vs Islamabad — Shoaib Akhtar Stadium, Rawalpindi
- Peshawar vs Sialkot — Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, Peshawar
- FATA vs Multan — Diamond Cricket Ground, Islamabad
- Faisalabad vs Karachi Blues — Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad
12–15 October
- Lahore Whites vs Abbottabad — Diamond Cricket Ground, Islamabad
- Bahawalpur vs Islamabad — Shoaib Akhtar Stadium, Rawalpindi
- Peshawar vs FATA — Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad
- Sialkot vs Faisalabad — Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, Peshawar
- Karachi Blues vs Multan — Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad
18–21 October
- Abbottabad vs Islamabad — Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad
- Bahawalpur vs Peshawar — Shoaib Akhtar Stadium, Rawalpindi
- Lahore Whites vs Sialkot — Diamond Cricket Ground, Islamabad
- Karachi Blues vs FATA — Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, Peshawar
- Multan vs Faisalabad — Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad
24–27 October
- Peshawar vs Abbottabad — Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, Peshawar
- Sialkot vs Islamabad — Shoaib Akhtar Stadium (KRL), Rawalpindi
- Multan vs Bahawalpur — Diamond Cricket Ground, Islamabad
- Lahore Whites vs Karachi Blues — Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad
- FATA vs Faisalabad — Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad
30 October – 2 November
- Faisalabad vs Peshawar — Shoaib Akhtar Stadium (KRL), Rawalpindi
- Islamabad vs FATA — Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad
- Abbottabad vs Sialkot — Diamond Cricket Ground, Islamabad
- Karachi Blues vs Bahawalpur — Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, Peshawar
- Lahore Whites vs Multan — Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad
5–8 November
- Abbottabad vs FATA — Shoaib Akhtar Stadium (KRL), Rawalpindi
- Bahawalpur vs Sialkot — Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad
- Lahore Whites vs Faisalabad — Diamond Cricket Ground, Islamabad
- Islamabad vs Multan — Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, Peshawar
- Karachi Blues vs Peshawar — Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad
11–14 November
- Faisalabad vs Islamabad — Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad
- Karachi Blues vs Abbottabad — Shoaib Akhtar Stadium (KRL), Rawalpindi
- Multan vs Sialkot — Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad
- FATA vs Bahawalpur — Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, Peshawar
- Peshawar vs Lahore Whites — Diamond Cricket Ground, Islamabad
17–20 November
- Abbottabad vs Faisalabad — Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad
- Bahawalpur vs Lahore Whites — Shoaib Akhtar Stadium (KRL), Rawalpindi
- Islamabad vs Karachi Blues — Diamond Cricket Ground, Islamabad
- Peshawar vs Multan — Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, Peshawar
- Sialkot vs FATA — Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad
23–26 November
- Faisalabad vs Bahawalpur — Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad
- Lahore Whites vs FATA — Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, Peshawar
- Islamabad vs Peshawar — Diamond Cricket Ground, Islamabad
- Sialkot vs Karachi Blues — Shoaib Akhtar Stadium (KRL), Rawalpindi
- Multan vs Abbottabad — Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad
29 November – 3 December
- FINAL
Prize Money and Awards
The PCB has set a record prize pool of PKR 13.775 million for this edition. The winner will take home PKR 7.5 million, while the runner-up will earn PKR 4 million.
Other awards include:
- Player of the Match (League Stage): PKR 25,000 each
- Player of the Final: PKR 100,000
- Best Batter: PKR 250,000
- Best Bowler: PKR 250,000
- Best Wicket-Keeper: PKR 250,000
- Player of the Tournament: PKR 250,000
These incentives aim to motivate players and raise the competitive standard of Pakistan’s red-ball cricket.
Teams and Qualification
Ten regional teams are participating in the 68th season:
- Sialkot (Defending Champions)
- Peshawar
- Abbottabad
- Bahawalpur
- Lahore Whites
- Islamabad
- FATA
- Multan
- Faisalabad
- Karachi Blues
Teams like FATA, Faisalabad, Karachi Blues, and Multan earned qualification through their outstanding performances in the Hanif Mohammad Trophy. Meanwhile, the remaining six teams—Abbottabad, Bahawalpur, Peshawar, Sialkot, Lahore Whites, and Islamabad—retained their places based on their top performance in the last edition.
Live Streaming and Coverage
To make domestic cricket more accessible, the PCB will live-stream two matches in every round on its YouTube channel. This will allow fans to follow their favorite regional teams closely. The Peshawar vs Sialkot match and FATA vs Multan game will be the first to be broadcast live in the opening round.
Moreover, PCB will provide a daily round-up and a Stats Pack after each round, helping fans and analysts track player performance and team standings.
Development and U21 Rule
To encourage youth development, the PCB has made it mandatory for every team to include at least one U21 player in their playing XI. This step is designed to provide emerging players with real match experience in Pakistan’s highest domestic red-ball competition.
This initiative ensures that the next generation of cricketers gain exposure alongside seasoned professionals, preparing them for international cricket.
Sialkot – The Defending Champions
Last year, Sialkot lifted the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy after a thrilling one-wicket victory against Peshawar. Under the captaincy of Amad Butt, the team showed incredible resilience and teamwork at the UBL Sports Complex, Karachi.
In 2025, Sialkot once again looks strong with key players like Mohammad Huraira, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, and young talents such as Afzaal Manzoor and Ahmed Hasan. Their reserves include power players like Usama Mir (joining from the second round) and Mirza Tahir Baig, giving them a strong lineup.
Sialkot’s mix of experience and youth makes them a formidable side, capable of defending their title successfully.
Peshawar – Looking for Redemption
Peshawar, who narrowly lost the final last year, will aim to reclaim glory this time. With experienced cricketers like Mohammad Rizwan, Sajid Khan, and Mohammad Haris, they have a balanced side. Rizwan and Sajid will lead as captain and vice-captain during the first round due to their national commitments.
Their squad also includes promising youngsters like Najab Khan and Mohammad Irfan, ensuring depth in batting and bowling.
Lahore Whites – The Star-Studded Line-Up
The Lahore Whites are entering the tournament with an impressive mix of senior and young players. Led by Saad Naseem, their squad features well-known names such as Abid Ali, Naseem Shah, and Hussain Talat.
On national duty, Babar Azam, Aamir Jamal, and Salman Ali Agha are part of their roster, further highlighting Lahore’s strong cricketing base. Youngster Ubaid Shah, part of Pakistan’s Under-19 World Cup team, will be a player to watch this season.
Islamabad – Rising Talent and Balanced Squad
The Islamabad team, led by Hasan Nawaz, combines youth and experience. With players like Haris Rauf, Mohammad Nawaz, and Abdul Faseeh, they bring variety to both batting and bowling departments.
The inclusion of talented U21 players like Raja Hamza Waheed and Shamyl Hussain adds further energy to their lineup. Their fixtures in Rawalpindi will attract strong local support.
Karachi Blues – Blend of Youth and Experience
Captained by Rameez Aziz, Karachi Blues will rely on players such as Mir Hamza, Saim Ayub, and Omair Bin Yousuf to deliver match-winning performances. The team features exciting youngsters like Saad Baig (U21, wicket-keeper) and Haroon Arshad, alongside veterans like Sarfaraz Ahmed and Fawad Alam in reserves.
Their first match against Faisalabad will test their consistency and team coordination early in the tournament.
Other Contending Teams
Abbottabad, led by Fakhar Zaman, brings experience with Khalid Usman, Shahnawaz Dahani, and young talent Shahzaib Khan (U21).
Bahawalpur, under Saifullah Bangash, looks promising with all-rounders like Mubasir Khan and Saad Khan, who are among the guest players.
FATA, captained by Khushdil Shah, features strong performers like Mohammad Wasim Jr. and wicketkeeper Rehan Afridi, supported by a number of young emerging bowlers.
Faisalabad, led by Muhammad Irfan Khan, has a strong domestic presence with Faheem Ashraf, Ahmed Safi Abdullah, and U21 star Faham-ul-Haq in the mix.
Multan, captained by Zain Abbas, includes experienced campaigners like Aamer Yamin, Bismillah Khan, and Arafat Minhas, making them a solid contender for the season.
National Duty Players and Substitutions
Teams can call up players from the national squad or use reserve players before the start of any round if needed. This ensures flexibility and allows regions to field their best possible line-ups while accommodating international commitments.
For instance:
- Sialkot may call Abdullah Shafique and Hasan Ali when available.
- Peshawar will reintroduce Rizwan and Sajid Khan after their international series.
- Karachi Blues await the return of Saud Shakeel and Shan Masood.
This policy maintains competitive balance and gives opportunities to reserves and upcoming players.
Venues and Match Coverage
The matches will take place at some of Pakistan’s well-known domestic grounds:
- Imran Khan Stadium, Peshawar
- Abbottabad Cricket Stadium
- Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
- Diamond Cricket Ground, Islamabad
- Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad
The PCB’s YouTube live-streams and photo galleries will ensure fans stay connected to every innings and performance throughout the season.
Promotion of Domestic Cricket
The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy has long been the backbone of Pakistan’s red-ball cricket. With new streaming options, detailed statistics, and media coverage, the 2025 edition aims to bring greater attention to domestic players. The inclusion of a U21 player rule, prize money increase, and consistent reporting reflects PCB’s focus on nurturing local talent and improving match standards.
Conclusion
The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025–26 promises to be a landmark season for Pakistan’s domestic cricket. With Sialkot defending their title, Peshawar seeking redemption, and new challengers like Karachi Blues, Lahore Whites, and Faisalabad eyeing glory, fans can expect top-class competition throughout the tournament.
The action begins on 6 October 2025, and with the PCB’s live coverage, cricket lovers can follow every match and moment of the 68th season as it unfolds across the nation.