The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially excluded WAPDA, one of the country's most established department teams and current first-class champions, along with Sahir Associates, from the upcoming domestic season. The decision follows the teams' inability to adhere to a series of regulations introduced by the board in June.
In their place, the board has confirmed that OGDCL and Kingsmen Academy will compete in the President's Trophy and the President's Cup, which serve as the first-class and List A tournaments for departmental sides. The PCB stated that these new regulations were implemented to enhance the quality of cricket and ensure the tournaments are conducted with higher professional standards.
Under the new framework, the board is empowered to audit financial transactions between teams and players, specifically regarding match fees and monthly salaries. Furthermore, the PCB now mandates that departments provide year-long contracts to players and follow specific guidelines concerning fitness programs, daily allowances, and accommodation.
A significant point of contention has been a threefold increase in the participation fee to PKR 15 million. While six other departments—Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), Pakistan Television (PTV), Ghani Glass, MIT Solutions, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL)—eventually accepted the hike, they did so only after the PCB committed to covering match ball costs, ground rent, and live streaming production expenses. KRL reportedly considered withdrawing due to the fee increase but reversed their decision following negotiations.
A WAPDA representative indicated that the department had sought a revision of the participation fee. However, a PCB official suggested that both WAPDA and Sahir Associates were primarily deterred by the board's increased oversight of player salaries and contracts. Each season, the bottom team in the first-class President's Trophy faces relegation to the Grade 2 tournament, while the winner of the Grade 2 event earns promotion.
