PCB Announces Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2026-27 Squads as Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi Headline Gold Tier

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the full team rosters for the 2026-27 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan's flagship first-class competition, with a host of national players spread across the Gold and Silver tiers. The 69th edition of the tournament is scheduled to begin on November 3, with eight teams competing in the Gold tier and 12 sides taking part in the Silver competition.

Test captain Babar Azam will represent Lahore Whites, while pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi will captain FATA. Mohammad Rizwan has been named captain of Peshawar Blues, Saud Shakeel will lead defending champions Karachi Blues, and Abdullah Shafique will captain Sialkot Blues. The Gold tier will stage 29 first-class matches, while the Silver competition will host 31 matches and serve as a qualifying pathway to the Gold tier for the following season.

The eight Gold-tier teams have confirmed their initial rosters, including captains, reserve players and head coaches. Among the notable names in the reserve lists is Test batter Shan Masood, who is listed as recovering from injury alongside Abrar Ahmed and a group of emerging under-21 players at his side.

The tournament remains a key platform for Pakistan's domestic structure and a primary route for players pushing for national selection. The two-tier format is designed to sharpen competition between established regions and emerging outfits, with promotion and relegation adding stakes to the Silver division.

The PCB's announcement sets the stage for a busy first-class calendar, with the country's leading red-ball players set to feature prominently across both tiers. The board is expected to release the full match schedule and venue details closer to the November 3 start.

Further squad updates, including any late replacements or injury withdrawals, will be communicated by the PCB in the lead-up to the competition.