PCB Makes Major Change to First-Class Cricket From 2026-27 Season

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a significant decision to reintroduce Kookaburra balls for domestic first-class cricket from the 2026-27 season, replacing the Dukes balls that have been used over the last two seasons. The change will impact major first-class tournaments such as the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and President’s Trophy, as the PCB aims to strike a better equilibrium between bat and ball and align domestic conditions more closely with Test cricket.

Dukes balls, known for their harder and more pronounced seam, generally provide greater seam movement in the air and off the pitch for more extended periods. However, there have been apprehensions that these balls have given an excessive edge to fast bowlers in Pakistan's domestic conditions. This concern is especially pertinent as numerous first-class matches are planned to be held in the northern cities of Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Abbottabad, where conditions already favor seam bowling.

The PCB anticipates that the return of the Kookaburra ball could alleviate this advantage, enable batters to spend more time at the crease, and promote the development of their technique. Additionally, the move could enhance the role of spinners in domestic red-ball cricket. Pakistan had last utilized Kookaburra balls in first-class cricket from 2019 until the end of the 2023-24 season.

Dukes balls were previously employed during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, and were reintroduced for the 2024-25 campaign as part of efforts to fortify Pakistan's fast-bowling culture. The return to Dukes was concurrent with Jason Gillespie's appointment as Pakistan's red-ball head coach. This shift coincided with Pakistan's 2-0 defeat to Bangladesh in a two-Test series played on grassy pitches in Rawalpindi, marking the country's first Test and series losses to Bangladesh.

Following a loss in the opening Test against England in Multan, the team altered its strategy and began focusing more on spin-friendly pitches. Subsequent Tests and limited-overs matches were played on surfaces that offered more assistance to spinners. The new domestic first-class season commences on Saturday with the opening round of the President’s Trophy.