The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially reverted to the eight-team structure for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QAT). This decision comes just a year after the board experimented with an 18-team First-Class format to expand participation.
Sources confirmed the decision was made during a domestic cricket committee meeting in Lahore on Friday. The move aims to improve match quality and restore competitiveness after criticism that the 18-team model diluted standards.
The six regional teams that performed best last season have earned automatic qualification. These include Lahore (one team), Islamabad, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Bahawalpur, and Sialkot. The remaining two spots will be decided through the Hanif Trophy, which starts on August 15.
Notably, this is the first time in the tournament’s history that no team from Karachi or Rawalpindi has qualified directly. Their absence has sparked debate, especially among stakeholders from lower-ranked areas who had earlier supported the expanded format.
The 18-team system, launched to give more regions a chance, failed to meet expectations. Critics said it reduced the quality of domestic cricket. This swift reversal under the same administration is rare and reflects PCB’s push for more competitive and streamlined cricket.