Pakistan decides to bring an end to toss system in first-class matches

A briefing note before the International Cricket Council’s cricket committee meeting in May 2018 talked about doing away with the toss in Tests and leaving the decision on whether to field or bat first on the visiting team but the committee decided against it. The toss, however, became semi-optional in first-class county matches in England where the visiting captain can opt to bowl first.

Now, with Pakistan deciding to do away with the practice of toss in first-class matches from this season, first-class matches in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will be played with visiting teams having the option of opting for a "no-toss start" to the game.

"The visiting side will get a chance to decide. But in the scenario where both teams want to bat first then the match referee will have the toss. The one-day and T20 tournaments will be played with the traditional toss format," a source in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said. 

The official has revealed that PCB CEO Wasim Khan had floated the idea and the board's other officials responded positively. The PCB intends to launch the new season from September 12 with its premier tournament Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.