Hanif Mohammad Cup (Pakistan) 2023/24

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What the tournament is

** The Hanif Mohammad Trophy is the second tier of domestic first-class cricket in Pakistan. It operates directly below the premier Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, serving as a crucial link in the national development pathway. Teams compete to earn promotion to the top flight, while those at the bottom of the upper division face relegation into this competition. The structure ensures a continuous flow of talent between the two levels of the domestic pyramid. **

Origins and purpose

** Established in 2023 for the 2023–24 season, the tournament was created by renaming the previous Grade-II four-day event. It was named in honour of legendary Pakistani batsman Hanif Mohammad to mark its significance. The competition provides a platform for developing regions and teams that are not yet part of the elite hierarchy. By offering multi-day cricket, it allows players to gain experience in the longer format before potentially rising to the highest level. **

Format and competition

** The tournament has undergone several changes since its inception. The inaugural season featured ten teams competing in a group stage followed by a Super Four knockout phase. Later editions have adjusted the structure to accommodate different numbers of participants and regional affiliations. In recent iterations, teams have been divided into groups playing a round-robin format. Promotion is awarded to the top-performing sides based on their performance within these groups, ensuring that merit determines movement between the tiers. The competition remains distinct from limited-overs tournaments, focusing exclusively on the development of first-class skills.