Pakistan cricket has been forced to make a venue change after political uncertainty in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with two President’s Trophy Grade-I fixtures moved to Punjab. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has relocated matches originally scheduled in Peshawar and Abbottabad, while fixtures in Islamabad and Rawalpindi are set to continue as planned. The decision affects the ongoing domestic first-class competition and has also prompted changes to the tournament schedule.
PCB moves President’s Trophy matches out of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The PCB has shifted two matches from Peshawar and Abbottabad following political developments in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The move came after the federal government announced emergency measures and governor’s rule in the region, raising concerns over the arrangements for sporting events.
The President’s Trophy Grade-I is one of Pakistan’s major domestic first-class competitions, bringing together departmental and institutional teams in a red-ball format. With the league stage approaching its decisive phase, the venue changes have added another challenge for the organisers.
The tournament was originally scheduled to take place across four cities: Peshawar, Abbottabad, Islamabad and Rawalpindi. However, the PCB has decided to move the affected fixtures to alternative venues in Punjab rather than proceed with the original arrangements.
The decision does not affect every match in the competition. Fixtures scheduled in Islamabad and Rawalpindi are expected to go ahead according to the existing programme, allowing the tournament to continue despite the disruption in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The latest development highlights how political and security conditions can influence domestic cricket, even when a tournament is already underway.
Where will the shifted President’s Trophy matches be played?
Two fixtures have been assigned new venues, with both matches scheduled to begin on October 14.
The first match, involving Ghani and Kingsmen Academy, was originally scheduled at Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar. It has now been moved to Rana Naveed Cricket Academy in Sheikhupura, Punjab.
The second fixture, between Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), was due to take place at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. The PCB has shifted the contest to the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) Ground, located close to Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Both changes move the games away from the affected province and into established cricket venues in Punjab.
For the participating teams, the revised arrangements mean adapting to a different venue and travel plan during an important stage of the competition. In first-class cricket, where matches run over several days, preparation, recovery and logistics can be particularly important.
The board’s priority will be to keep the competition moving while ensuring that players, officials and support staff can participate under suitable conditions.
Final-round schedule also faces changes
The venue reshuffle is not limited to the sixth round. According to reports, the final round of the league stage has also been pushed back and is now scheduled to begin on October 19.
One of the fixtures expected to be affected is the match between Markhor IT Solutions and Pakistan Television (PTV), which is also set to be moved from Peshawar to the LCCA Ground in Lahore. Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy are scheduled to face State Bank of Pakistan at the National Cricket Ground in Islamabad.
The PCB has yet to confirm the venue for the tournament final. The title decider will feature the two teams that finish at the top of the league standings, making the remaining fixtures crucial for the sides still competing for a place in the final.
The revised dates and venues are important for teams planning their preparations, particularly because first-class matches require more time than limited-overs fixtures. Travel, accommodation, training facilities and ground conditions all become part of the equation when a match is moved at short notice.
The board will need to ensure that the updated arrangements are communicated clearly to the participating teams and match officials.
President’s Trophy Grade-I: Eight teams competing for the title
The 2026–27 President’s Trophy Grade-I features eight teams: Ghani, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), Kingsmen Academy, Markhor IT Solutions, OGDCL, Pakistan Television, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and SNGPL.
The tournament began on September 12 and features a round-robin league stage in which each team competes against the others. The top two sides will qualify for the final.
The competition is an important part of Pakistan’s domestic red-ball structure, providing players with opportunities to build their first-class records and demonstrate their ability to perform over longer periods. Unlike T20 cricket, first-class matches test a player’s technique, patience, fitness and tactical understanding across multiple days.
The inclusion of Kingsmen Academy and Markhor IT Solutions also adds interest to this season’s competition, with both teams entering the Grade-I tournament after progressing from the lower tier.
As the league stage approaches its conclusion, consistency will be essential. A strong performance in the remaining matches could determine which teams earn the chance to compete for the trophy.
State Bank of Pakistan lead the points table
The latest reported standings place State Bank of Pakistan at the top of the table with 84 points, while Ghani occupy second place with 70 points. Kingsmen Academy, on 66 points, and Pakistan Television, on 64, remain within reach of the leading sides.
These standings make the closing stages particularly significant. SBP have established an advantage, but the chasing teams still have an opportunity to strengthen their positions before the league phase ends.
Ghani will be looking to maintain their push for qualification, while Kingsmen Academy and PTV will hope to close the gap. The outcome of the remaining fixtures could have a direct bearing on the final standings.
For the teams involved in the rescheduled matches, the venue changes add another layer of uncertainty to an already competitive phase of the tournament. They will need to balance their preparation with the practical demands of travelling to a different city.
The latest points table and match results should be checked through the official PCB tournament page, as results and standings may change during the competition.
Why the decision matters for Pakistan cricket
The move from Peshawar and Abbottabad is significant beyond the immediate schedule. Domestic cricket depends on reliable venues, safe travel arrangements and the ability to host teams without disruption. When circumstances force a change, the governing body must weigh sporting commitments against the practical conditions surrounding an event.
Peshawar’s Imran Khan Cricket Stadium and Abbottabad Cricket Stadium were part of the tournament’s original venue plan. Moving fixtures away from these grounds therefore affects not only the teams but also local cricket followers who might have planned to watch the matches.
At the same time, relocating the games allows the PCB to keep the competition on track rather than risk further disruption. The use of grounds in Sheikhupura and Lahore offers an alternative for the affected fixtures, while Islamabad and Rawalpindi remain part of the tournament schedule.
The situation also underlines the importance of having contingency plans for domestic competitions. Political uncertainty, weather problems and ground-related issues can all affect a multi-city tournament. Clear communication from organisers becomes essential whenever dates or venues change.
For now, the focus will be on the revised fixtures, the final round and the race for qualification. Any further changes will depend on the circumstances and announcements from the PCB.
What happens next?
The immediate priority is the rescheduled action beginning on October 14. Ghani will meet Kingsmen Academy in Sheikhupura, while SNGPL will take on OGDCL in Lahore. The other scheduled fixtures in Islamabad and Rawalpindi are expected to continue as planned.
Attention will then turn to the final league round, due to begin on October 19, before the top two teams contest the title. The final venue remains unconfirmed, so supporters and participating teams will need to wait for an official announcement.
Pakistan’s domestic cricket season remains underway, but the latest developments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have forced the PCB to adjust its plans at a crucial stage. Whether the revised schedule proceeds without further changes will be closely watched over the coming days.
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