PCB Approves Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Champions League

Cricket fans in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are set to get a new franchise-style tournament after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) formally approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Champions League (KCL).

The tournament is scheduled to begin in Peshawar on August 14, with the final set to be played on August 23. The league is being positioned as a major cricket event linked with Independence Day celebrations and the broader national narrative around Marka-e-Haq.

A total of six teams will compete for the title in the inaugural edition: Peshawar Panthers, Abbottabad Eagles, Swat Titans, Khyber Warriors, DI Khan Stallions, and Mardan Challengers.

Organizers say the league will feature well-known Pakistani stars as well as former international cricketers, while talks are also underway with major former Test players for the roles of brand ambassador and league commissioner.

The event is also being pitched as a platform for emerging talent, with open trials planned across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of Pakistan to identify new players for the draft. Registration for players is expected to open soon through the league’s official platform.

Officials say the tournament will be broadcast live for audiences around the world, with organizers aiming to give the competition a national and international profile from its first edition.

Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi has been named patron-in-chief of the league, which is being organized with the support of the provincial government and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Board (KPSB).

League organizers say the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Champions League is not just another domestic tournament, but part of a wider effort to promote cricket in the province, create opportunities for young players, and project a more positive sporting image of the region.

With PCB approval now in place, the launch of the league marks the beginning of a new professional cricket venture in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with Peshawar set to host the opening chapter next month.

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