The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2026-27 Schedule has been officially unveiled by cricket authorities, marking the return of Pakistan’s premier first-class domestic tournament. The 69th edition of the prestigious red-ball competition is set to commence on November 3, 2026, across multiple neutral venues including Islamabad, Abbottabad, and Rawalpindi. Defending champions Karachi Blues enter the tournament looking to retain their title against heavily reinforced regional domestic units.
Gold and Silver Tier Tournament Structures
The revamped edition separates regional departments into two distinct tiers to balance competitive workloads. The premium Gold tier features eight elite teams playing 29 first-class matches through to December 12, with the top two sides advancing to the five-day grand final scheduled for December 15–19. Concurrently, the Silver tier acts as a promotion pathway for next season, putting 12 teams into two competitive groups for 31 matches from November 3–30, before culminating in a final from December 3–7.
| Gold Tier (Elite Teams) | Silver Tier – Group A (Karachi Venues) | Silver Tier – Group B (Southern Punjab Venues) |
| • Karachi Blues (Defending Champions)• Faisalabad• FATA• Lahore Whites• Islamabad• Peshawar• Multan• Sialkot Blue | • Lahore Blues• Rawalpindi• Larkana• Quetta• Bahawalpur• Peshawar Whites | • Karachi Whites• Azad Jammu & Kashmir• Hyderabad• Dera Murad Jamali• Abbottabad• Sialkot Whites |
Star-Studded Opening Round Clashes and Broadcasting
The opening round of the premier tournament will treat fans to highly anticipated international face-offs on the domestic circuit. Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam is confirmed to make a domestic red-ball comeback for Lahore Whites. He is slated to face a potent bowling attack led by Shaheen Shah Afridi for FATA at the Diamond Cricket Ground in Islamabad. To maximize global and domestic viewership, all four Gold-tier matches and selected high-profile Silver-tier fixtures from each round will be live-streamed online via the Tamasha and tapmad digital platforms.
Who Is Competing in the Premium Gold Tier Phase? Look into the elite eight regional teams, including defending champions Karachi Blues, fighting for the main title.
Why Is the Silver Competition Tier Critical for Teams? Find the official promotion parameters serving as the sole qualifying pathway into the top division for next season.
Which Star Cricketers Are Facing Off in the Opening Round? Dive into the star-studded match between Babar Azam’s Lahore Whites and Shaheen Afridi’s FATA squad in Islamabad.
How Can Domestic Cricket Fans Watch the Matches Online? Uncover the digital broadcasting channels and mobile applications providing live-streaming access across both tournament tiers.
Where Are the Silver Group Matches Being Hosted Nationally? Check out the regional stadium allocations split between cricket complexes in Karachi, Multan, and Bahawalpur.
