Pakistan Cup 2021/22

The Pakistan Cup serves as the premier domestic List A competition within the country’s cricket structure. Organised by the Pakistan Cricket Board, it occupies the top tier of the domestic pyramid alongside the first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. The tournament began as the Pentangular One Day Cup in the 2008–09 season before adopting its current name in 2016.

A major structural shift occurred in 2024 when the governing body replaced the traditional regional association format with a franchise-based model. This change introduced a professionalised environment featuring teams with animal-themed identities. The 2024–25 edition, branded as the Champions One-Day Cup, includes the Panthers, Dolphins, Lions, Stallions, and Markhors. Under the previous system, provincial sides such as Sindh, Central Punjab, and Peshawar Region competed for honours.

The modern format utilises a single round-robin league stage followed by a series of decisive knockout matches. These playoffs comprise a Qualifier, two Eliminator matches, and a final to determine the champion. The Panthers secured victory in the inaugural season of this new franchise era.

Participation in the competition is not linked to promotion or relegation from other domestic tiers; entry is determined by the board based on player performance and selection criteria. The event remains distinct from the National T20 Cup, which operates as the primary Twenty20 competition, and the longer-format Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. The transition to franchises represents a significant evolution in the sport’s domestic landscape, aiming to elevate standards through a structured, commercial approach.