Sahir Associates withdraw from President’s Trophy Grade-I
Departmental cricket team Sahir Associates has withdrawn from this year’s President’s Trophy Grade-I. The team called the decision a “principled stance” over the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) revised financial requirements and planning process.
The department informed the PCB’s organizing committee of its decision through an email. It clarified that the withdrawal did not result from an inability to meet the new financial conditions.
Instead, Sahir Associates stressed the need for collaborative planning, structured dialogue and a gradual transition when introducing changes to domestic cricket.
“Sahir Associates has always regarded participation in this competition as a matter of institutional pride, and our intention to field a competitive first-class side this year remains sincere. However, after careful deliberation, we have decided to withdraw from the current edition of the tournament,” the department said.
It added that sustainable growth in domestic cricket required sufficient time for all stakeholders to align their operations with the revised requirements. This approach would help them avoid unnecessary disruption.
“This decision is not a reflection of our capacity to meet the revised financial requirements, but rather a principled stance on the importance of collaborative, phased planning in the stewardship of domestic cricket,” the email read.
“We believe that sustainable growth is best served through structured dialogue and gradual transition. This approach ensures that all stakeholders can align their operations without undue disruption.”
Commitment to domestic cricket
Sahir Associates expressed hope that future editions of the President’s Trophy Grade-I would include input from all participating departments during the planning process.
The department also reaffirmed its commitment to Pakistani cricket. It said it was willing to return to the tournament under a framework based on shared institutional values.
“We hold the PCB and this tournament in the highest regard, and we trust that future editions will reflect the collective input of all participating departments,” it said.
“We remain fully committed to Pakistani cricket and look forward to rejoining the competition under a framework that reflects shared institutional values.”
KRL reverses withdrawal decision
The development came a day after Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) informed its players that it would not participate in the 2026-27 domestic season because of financial constraints.
KRL said a substantial increase in the PCB’s entry fee had made participation financially unviable. Its management also informed players that it would release the entire squad.
Players who had already received offers from other departmental teams could join them immediately. Those without offers were to remain under contract until their agreements expired in September.
However, KRL reversed its decision just hours after announcing its withdrawal. The PCB and KRL resolved their deadlock over various issues amicably.
