President’s Trophy Schedule: PCB Unveils Grade-II Gold 2025-26 Roadmap

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released the President’s Trophy schedule for the Grade-II Gold 2025-26 season, signaling a structural recalibration of the domestic cricket framework. Between May 12 and June 21, fourteen elite teams will compete across venues in Abbottabad, Haripur, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi. This tournament serves as a critical baseline for the national system, acting as the primary qualification pathway for both the first-class President’s Trophy Grade-I and the List-A President’s Cup.

Analyzing the Official President’s Trophy Schedule and Structure

For the first time in the board’s history, the PCB has implemented a strategic division of the Grade-II tournament into two tiers: Gold and Silver. This tiered approach ensures a higher precision of competition. The Gold tier features the top 14 teams from the previous edition, calibrated into two distinct pools. Consequently, every match carries increased weight for national advancement.

• Pool A: Eshaal Associates, JDW Sugar Mills, MTI Solutions, PHA Rawalpindi, Railways, Ahmed Glass, and Kingsmen Academy.
• Pool B: Higher Education Commission (HEC), Kingsmen, Wing 999 Sports, Ghani Institute, Sardar Group, Port Qasim, and Vital Tea.

Each team will engage in six three-day matches within their respective pools. Following these rounds, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals on June 14. The grand final, a four-day strategic battle, is scheduled for June 18-21. Furthermore, the winner will secure a cash prize of Rs5 million, while the runner-up earns Rs2.5 million.

The Translation (Clear Context)

The PCB is moving away from a broad, flat competition model toward a specialized hierarchy. By creating “Gold” and “Silver” tiers, the board ensures that high-performing teams compete against equal talent, effectively eliminating “dead-rubber” matches. This system mirrors international excellence standards, where promotion and relegation drive performance incentives. It is no longer just about playing; it is about maintaining a position in the elite domestic tier.

The Socio-Economic Impact

This tournament serves as a catalyst for regional economic activity in Northern Pakistan. By decentralizing matches across Abbottabad, Haripur, and Rawalpindi, the PCB stimulates local sports tourism and hospitality sectors. For the professional player, the enhanced prize pool provides a baseline of financial stability. Moreover, the inclusion of departmental and academic teams like HEC ensures that young athletes have a structured bridge between education and professional sports careers.

The “Forward Path” (Opinion)

This development represents a Momentum Shift. The move to a two-tier system for Grade-II cricket is a mature, architectural change that rewards consistency. While previous seasons often suffered from uneven match-ups, this new 2025-26 roadmap prioritizes quality over quantity. If the PCB maintains this level of structural discipline, the domestic talent pipeline will become significantly more efficient at producing battle-hardened athletes for the national squad.

Full Presidential Trophy Grade-II Gold Schedule

Pool A Fixtures

Pool B Fixtures

Knockout Stage Schedule