The Patrons Trophy was added to the first-class calendar in 1960-61, and was then known as the Ayub Trophy, named after Ayub Khan, the former president of Pakistan. In 1970-71 it was renamed the BCCP Trophy for two seasons. Thereafter, the title was established as the Patrons Trophy. It is generally played between departments, though Karachi has fielded two teams in the past. Among the departments, Habib Bank has been one of the strongest, winning eight times. The Patron's Trophy was not first-class between 1979 and 1983 and in 1999-2000, when it served as a qualifying competition for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. It was not held in 2002-03.
