The competition proper was contested by means of two round-robin group stages, with a final to determine the winner.

[1][2] Among the qualifiers was Federally Administered Tribal Areas, which competed in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy first-class competition for the first time.

[3] Following the completion of the preliminary group stages, six departments (Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, National Bank of Pakistan, Water and Power Development Authority, United Bank Limited, Khan Research Laboratories and Sui Southern Gas Corporation) and two regions (Karachi Whites and Lahore Blues) qualified for the Super Eight stage of the competition.

The number of teams was reduced from 26 down to 16, made up of eight regional associations and eight departments; six of each were automatically qualified based on their record in 2014–15, and the remainder had to earn their place through a corresponding qualifying tournament, although the bottom teams from 2014–15 (Quetta and Pakistan Television) were not eligible as they were relegated directly to Grade II cricket.

Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) qualified from the departments.