PCB Launches New Champions Tournaments for 2024-25 – Pakistan Super League

August 6, 2024

PCB Launches New Champions Tournaments for 2024-25 – Pakistan Super League

Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has introduced three new Champions tournaments for the 2024-25 domestic cricket season. These tournaments narrow the gap between domestic and international cricket, increase competitiveness, and provide better earning opportunities for emerging players.

The new tournaments Champions One-Day Cup, Champions T20 Cup, and Champions First-Class Cup will be added to the current roster, which features the National T20 Cup, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, President’s Trophy, President’s Cup, and HBL Pakistan Super League 2025. The domestic season will span from September 1, 2024, to August 5, 2025.

With these additions, the PCB will oversee 261 matches across eight senior men’s tournaments, up from 203 games in the 2023-24 season. This will include 131 first-class matches, 40 50-over matches, and 97 T20 matches. The introduction of the Champions tournaments represents a significant expansion of the domestic cricket calendar.

Key features of the Champions tournaments include:

Five teams, Dolphins, Lions, Panthers, Stallions, and Wolves, compete in each event.
A double-league format for each tournament.
Approximately 150 top domestic players and centrally contracted players are available for selection.

Each team will be guided by a former Pakistan cricket star, with further details to be announced soon. The support staff for each team will include seasoned coaches, strength and conditioning experts, physiotherapists, analysts, and media managers.Teams will also have access to specialized Regional High-Performance Centres in five cities for their training requirements.

The updated domestic contracts will feature enhanced monthly retainers and match fees. Category 1 players will be paid PKR 550,000 per month, Category 2 players PKR 400,000, and Category 3 players PKR 250,000. Match fees have also been raised, with PKR 200,000 for red-ball cricket, PKR 125,000 for 50-over matches, and PKR 100,000 for T20 matches.

The Champions One-Day Cup will start the season from September 1-29, 2024, while the Champions First-Class Cup will wrap it up from May 28 to August 5, 2025. The season will also feature the President’s Cup, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Champions T20 Cup, President’s Trophy, National T20 Cup, and the Pakistan Super League 2025.

PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi emphasized the significance of these initiatives in restoring the prominence of Pakistan cricket. “Our current rankings – sixth in Tests, fourth in ODIs, and seventh in T20Is – do not reflect Pakistan cricket’s true potential. To reclaim our top spot, we need to innovate and strengthen our domestic structure. Introducing the Champions tournaments is a key step in this process.”

“These tournaments will unite top domestic talent with centrally contracted players, simulating the intensity of international cricket. Beyond bridging the domestic-international gap, these tournaments aim to revolutionize our cricketing ecosystem. We are developing the next generation of stars by creating a clear pathway from grassroots to professional levels. “I am confident that these investments will significantly enhance Pakistan cricket’s future. We are committed to nurturing and preparing our best talent for global success,” the PCB chief concluded.

PCB’s Plans for the PSL 10 Playoffs Face a Setback Following England’s Refusal

LAHORE—The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has considered hosting the PSL 10 playoffs and final in a different country.

England emerged as the leading candidate to host the PSL 10 playoffs and final.

However, reports have surfaced that England declined the opportunity, citing a lack of available venues.

Concerned about potential costs, the franchise owners were notified that an official would be sent to England to assess the feasibility.

However, England has since turned down the opportunity, citing a need for more available venues.

As a result, some PCB officials are now suggesting the UAE as a possible alternative. However, the extreme heat anticipated in May poses a significant challenge for scheduling matches there.

In addition, the franchises had previously contacted the PCB regarding profit shares from the ninth season and other issues. Still, they are waiting to receive a response.

A senior PCB official recently assured franchise owners that a governing council meeting will be held soon to address these concerns.

PSL 10 is scheduled from April 10 to May 25, which overlaps with the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The overlap has raised concerns that vital international players might opt to participate in the IPL instead of the PSL.

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Katarzyna Nowak

Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Top Cricket News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.