The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to revolutionize domestic cricket with the introduction of three new Champions tournaments in the 2024-25 season.
Aimed at narrowing the gap between domestic and international cricket, these tournaments promise a more competitive and high-pressure environment while offering enhanced financial incentives for upcoming stars.
This initiative will include the Champions One-Day Cup, Champions T20 Cup, and Champions First-Class Cup, adding a new dimension to Pakistan’s cricket calendar.
These Champions events will complement existing tournaments such as the National T20 Cup, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, President’s Trophy, President’s Cup, and the HBL Pakistan Super League 2025.
The domestic season is scheduled to run from September 1, 2024, to August 5, 2025. This expansion means the PCB will now host a total of 261 matches across eight senior men’s tournaments, a significant increase from the 203 matches organized in the 2023-24 season.
Key Features of the Champions Tournaments
The newly introduced Champions tournaments will feature five teams: Dolphins, Lions, Panthers, Stallions, and Wolves. Each tournament will adopt a double-league format, ensuring a robust competition framework.
Approximately 150 top-performing domestic players from the past three years, along with centrally contracted players, will be eligible for selection, details of which will be shared soon.
To add a layer of expertise and inspiration, each team will have a former Pakistan cricket superstar serving as a mentor and possibly as an owner.
Additionally, each squad will have a professional support team comprising a head coach (minimum Level 3, five years’ experience), batting, bowling, and fielding coaches (minimum Level 3, three years’ experience), along with other specialized personnel such as strength and conditioning coaches, physiotherapists, analysts, operations managers, and media managers.
Teams will be based at dedicated Regional High-Performance Centres in Faisalabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Sialkot for training and practice. This strategic initiative ensures that players have access to top-notch facilities, crucial for their development and performance.
Enhanced Financial Opportunities
The PCB is committed to providing better financial rewards to players. The new domestic contracts will categorize 150 players into three groups: Category 1 will earn PKR 550,000 per month, Category 2 will receive PKR 400,000, and Category 3 will earn PKR 250,000.
This is a significant improvement over the previous season’s contracts. Match fees have also been increased, with red-ball cricket players receiving PKR 200,000 per match, and those playing 50-over and T20 matches receiving PKR 125,000 and PKR 100,000, respectively.
Teams will benefit from corporate sponsorships and media partnerships, alongside revenue from broadcast rights, event sponsorships, and merchandise sales, creating a financially sustainable model.
Season Highlights
The Champions One-Day Cup will kick off the season from September 1-29, 2024, while the Champions First-Class Cup will conclude the season from May 28 to August 5, 2025.
The domestic season will also include 11 development and pathway tournaments, providing extensive opportunities for young talents to showcase their skills.
With over 13,000 matches planned across various levels, including schools, colleges, universities, and clubs, aspiring cricketers have the chance to impress selectors and climb the ranks. This comprehensive schedule reflects the PCB’s dedication to nurturing future cricket stars and strengthening Pakistan’s cricketing framework.
The PCB’s ambitious 2024-25 season promises to be a game-changer for Pakistan cricket, offering an exhilarating platform for players to shine and fans to enjoy top-tier cricket action.
