Fakhar Zaman hails PCB's expanded regional first-class structure

LAHORE: Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has welcomed the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to expand the regional first-class structure, describing it as a long-awaited move that will create greater opportunities for young cricketers across the country.

The left-handed batter shared his reaction on social media shortly after the PCB unveiled its Men's Domestic Cricket Calendar for the 2026-27 season on Thursday, which features an expanded first-class structure, two List A competitions and an enhanced school cricket programme.

"Finally! After years, all regions will compete in first-class cricket together. A proper domestic structure creating real opportunities for young players. This is exactly what we needed. Credit to PCB. Every young cricketer deserves a chance to prove themselves," Fakhar wrote on X.

The PCB's revamped domestic structure introduces an additional regional team each from Sialkot and Peshawar, making them, alongside Karachi and Lahore, the only four of the country's 16 regions to field two teams.

The prestigious Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will now feature two divisions. The former Hanif Mohammad Trophy has been upgraded to first-class status and renamed the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Silver, while the premier competition will continue as the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold.

The Gold division will feature the top eight teams from last season and will be played in Islamabad, Peshawar, Abbottabad and Rawalpindi from 1 November to 17 December. Each side will play seven first-class matches before the top two teams meet in the final.

The Silver division will include 12 teams, comprising the new Sialkot and Peshawar sides, relegated teams Abbottabad and Bahawalpur, and the remaining eight teams from last season's Hanif Mohammad Trophy. The winners will secure promotion to the Gold division for the 2027-28 season.

The 2026-27 domestic calendar runs from 11 August to 15 June and features three first-class competitions, two List A tournaments, two non-first-class three-day events, two T20 competitions, age-group championships, departmental cricket, district tournaments and an expanded school cricket programme.

The season begins with two List A tournaments as Pakistan prepares for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, while the PCB has also introduced a red-ball Under-19 competition for all 16 regions and expanded its Talent Hunt Programme for Schools from 450 to 1,200 schools across 100 districts.