Pakistan Cricket Board moves President’s Trophy fixtures after governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has relocated the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade 1 matches from Peshawar and Abbottabad following the imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The government’s decision forced organisers to move two fixtures to alternative venues in Punjab.

The 2026-27 President’s Trophy features eight teams competing in a round-robin league, with each side facing every other team once. Islamabad and Rawalpindi will continue to host matches as scheduled, while the final round has been delayed by a day. The venue for the tournament final remains unconfirmed.

Pakistan’s President’s Trophy Matches Shifted Out of Peshawar and Abbottabad

The sixth round, which is the penultimate round of the league stage, will feature two relocated matches starting on October 14. Ghani will face Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy at Rana Naveed Academy in Sheikhupura after their fixture was moved from Peshawar’s Imran Khan Stadium.

Meanwhile, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) will take on Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) at the LCCA Ground in Lahore. The venue is located next to Gaddafi Stadium and will replace Abbottabad Cricket Stadium for the fixture.

Matches in Islamabad and Rawalpindi will begin as scheduled on Monday, October 12. The Diamond Club ground and National Cricket Ground are among the venues being used in Islamabad, with the latter set to host Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy against State Bank of Pakistan in the final league round.

The final round will begin on October 19, a day later than originally scheduled. The LCCA Ground will also host Markhor IT Solutions against Pakistan TV, while the top two teams at the end of the league stage will qualify for the final.

Political Unrest Disrupts Domestic Cricket in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The venue changes are a setback for cricket in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly as the PCB has been working to bring major domestic fixtures back to the region. Abbottabad Cricket Stadium has hosted first-class matches regularly over the years.

Peshawar’s Imran Khan Stadium returned to senior men’s domestic cricket last season after an absence of almost seven years. Following extensive renovations, the ground hosted nine Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches as the PCB sought to revive top-level cricket in the provincial capital.

Peshawar was also allotted its maiden PSL match this year after its hosting capabilities were tested during the National T20 Cup. However, the PCB later restricted the PSL to Lahore and Karachi in line with federal fuel-conservation measures introduced following the West Asia crisis.

State Bank of Pakistan Lead President’s Trophy Standings

State Bank of Pakistan currently lead the eight-team standings with 84 points, while Ghani sit second with 70. Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy, Pakistan TV, Markhor IT Solutions and OGDCL have each recorded one victory in the league stage.

Last season’s finalists, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) and SNGPL, are yet to win a match. With two rounds remaining, both teams will be looking to improve their results before the league stage concludes.

The domestic competition follows a round-robin format, with all eight teams facing each other once. The top two sides will advance to the final, although the PCB has yet to confirm the venue for the title decider.

Source: cricketaddictor.com