Pakistan, July 5 -- The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially reverted to the eight-team structure for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QAT). This decision comes just a year after the board experimented with an 18-team First-Class format to expand participation.

Sources confirmed the decision was made during a domestic cricket committee meeting in Lahore on Friday. The move aims to improve match quality and restore competitiveness after criticism that the 18-team model diluted standards.

The six regional teams that performed best last season have earned automatic qualification. These include Lahore (one team), Islamabad, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Bahawalpur, and Sialkot. The remaining two spots will be decided through the Hanif Trophy, which ...