Quaid e Azam Trophy (Pakistan) 2025/26

The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy serves as the premier first-class domestic cricket competition in Pakistan. Recognised as the top tier (Grade I) of the national cricket pyramid, it represents the highest level of domestic play. The tournament was first contested during the 1953–54 season, introduced by the Pakistan Cricket Control Board as a means to select players for the national Test squad touring England in 1954. It bears the name of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan.

The competition structure has evolved significantly over decades. After a period featuring departmental teams, the governing body reverted to a regional model in January 2023. The current iteration involves ten teams competing in a single-league round-robin format. Each side plays every other team once, resulting in nine matches per team. The top two teams from the league standings advance to a knockout final, which is played over five days, while regular matches last four days.

Access to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is governed by promotion and relegation with the Hanif Mohammad Trophy, which operates at Grade II level. In the 2025–26 season, four teams were promoted from the second tier, while two were relegated. The Karachi Blues hold the record for the most victories, claiming the title ten times. Their success spans several decades, including recent triumphs in 2009–10, 2012–13, and the 2025–26 season. Other notable winners include the Pakistan International Airlines team, which secured seven titles, and Karachi Whites, who have won five times.

This competition is distinct from Pakistan's short-format tournaments. While the National T20 Cup and the Pakistan Cup focus on Twenty20 and List A formats respectively, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy tests endurance through multi-day, two-innings matches. It remains the primary platform for preparing cricketers for Test cricket.