FTP 2023-2027 : Pakistan to host 10 Test playing nations between 2023 and 2027

[MenInG]

Pakistan to host 10 Test playing nations between 2023 and 2027

• Pakistan to play, at least, 238 days of international cricket in the four-year period, including 27 Tests, 47 ODIs and 56 T20Is

• Pakistan will also stage ACC 50-over Asia Cup 2023 and ICC Champions Trophy 2025

• “While finalising our Future Tours Programme 2023-2027 in a tight and densely-packed cricket calendar, we have given priority to context, quality and player workload,” says PCB Chief Executive Faisal Hasnain

Lahore, 17 August 2022:

Player workload management, meaningful and exciting bilateral cricket, and preparations for the ICC global events were the cornerstones of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s strategy and philosophy while preparing the men’s Future Tours Programme 2023-2027, which was confirmed and unveiled today.

The PCB has scheduled around 238 days of international cricket during the four-year period comprising 27 ICC World Test Championship fixtures (13 home and 14 away), 47 One-Day Internationals (26 home and 21 home) and 56 Twenty20 Internationals (27 home and 29 away).

These include matches in the ACC 50-over Asia Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy, which Pakistan will stage in 2023 and 2025, respectively. The number of matches may increase depending on where Pakistan finishes in the ICC and ACC events between 2023 and 2027, as well as in the 2025 and 2026 three-nation ODI series.

The Future Tours Programme is prepared collectively by the ICC Member Boards. As such, the PCB will continue to work with its fellow Members and may include more matches and/or series, depending on the player availability and window for international cricket in the calendar.

In the ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025, Pakistan will play Tests against Australia (away), Bangladesh (home), England (home), South Africa (away), Sri Lanka (away) and West Indies (home), while their matches in the 2025-2027 championship are against Bangladesh (away), England (away), New Zealand (home), South Africa (home), Sri Lanka (home) and West Indies (away).

The three-nation ODI series has returned to Pakistan’s calendar for the first time since 2004-05. New Zealand and South Africa will join Pakistan in the tri-series in 2025, which will take place in the build-up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, while England and Sri Lanka will participate in the series in October/November 2026.

The PCB has scheduled white-ball matches with one-eye on the ICC global events.

While Pakistan will host the Asia Cup 2023 and triangular series in February 2025 in the lead up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, respectively, it will play 11 T20Is against the Netherlands, Ireland and England in the build up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will be jointly hosted by the United States and the West Indies.

Likewise, ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan will play Australia in three home T20Is.

Apart from Australia, three other sides - Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe - will also play white-ball matches in Pakistan between 2023 and 2027.

Pakistan’s FTP 2023-2027 reflects that it will play hosts to 10 out of 12 ICC Full Member nations for the first time in more than two decades.

PCB Chief Executive Faisal Hasnain: “While finalising our Future Tours Programme 2023-2027 in a tight and densely-packed cricket calendar, we have given priority to context, quality and player workload. We have also tried to find an appropriate balance across all the three formats so that these continue to co-exist meaningfully.

“I am sure that our cricket fans will be delighted to know that top-ranked and attractive sides such as Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies will visit Pakistan to compete in matches for the ICC World Test Championship. Additionally, Afghanistan, Australia, Ireland and Zimbabwe will also tour Pakistan for the white-ball matches, which means 10 of the 12 ICC Full Members will play cricket in Pakistan during the four-year period. This is exciting!

“We are also mindful that our sides must be provided with the best preparation opportunities so that they perform strongly in ICC competitions. Accordingly, this has also been an integral part of our strategy around scheduling, as we have scheduled appropriate international matches in the lead up to the ICC events.

“Furthermore, and in line with our vision for triangular ODI series to contribute in increasing excitement and attracting greater audiences, we have so far scheduled two tri-series in February 2025 and October/November 2026, involving New Zealand and South Africa, and England and Sri Lanka, respectively. This is also something for the fans to look forward to.

“The certainty and clarity around our home bilateral fixtures until 2027 provides us the platform to put together a robust commercial programme, so that we can optimise the exploitation of our commercial rights. This will enable us to hopefully increase our revenues and channel these back into the further development of our cricket, all across from our grassroots talent hunt to our international playing facilities.”

Pakistan Men’s Future Tours Programme 2023-2027 (all Test matches count towards the ICC World Test Championships 2023-2025 and 2025-2027)

2023-24

July – Pakistan to Sri Lanka (two Tests)
August – Pakistan to Afghanistan (three ODIs)
September – ACC 50-over Asia Cup in Pakistan
October/November – ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup India 2023
December/January – Pakistan to Australia (three Tests)
February/March – West Indies in Pakistan (two Tests, three T20Is)
May – Pakistan to Netherlands (three T20Is), Ireland (three T20Is) and England (five T20Is)
June – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup USA/West Indies 2024

2024-25

August – Bangladesh in Pakistan (two Tests)
October – England in Pakistan (three Tests)
November – Pakistan to Australia (three ODIs and three T20Is)
November/December – Pakistan to Zimbabwe (three ODIs and three T20Is)
December/January – Pakistan to South Africa (two Tests, three ODIs, three T20Is)
January – Pakistan to New Zealand (three ODIs and three T20Is)
February – New Zealand and South Africa in Pakistan (ODI tri-series)
February/March – ICC Champions Trophy Pakistan 2025
May – Bangladesh in Pakistan (three ODIs and three T20Is)

2025-26

July/August – Pakistan to West Indies (three ODIs, three T20Is)
August – Afghanistan in Pakistan (three T20Is)
August/September – ACC T20 Asia Cup (host/venue TBC)
September/October – Ireland in Pakistan (three ODIs, three T20Is)
October/November – South Africa in Pakistan (two Tests, three ODIs, three T20Is)
November – Sri Lanka in Pakistan (three ODIs, three T20Is)
February – Australia in Pakistan (three T20Is)
February/March – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India/Sri Lanka 2026
March – Australia in Pakistan (three ODIs)
March/April – Pakistan to Bangladesh (two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is)
April/May – Zimbabwe in Pakistan (three ODIs and three T20Is)

2026-27

July/August – Pakistan to West Indies (two Tests)
August/September – Pakistan to England (three Tests)
October – Sri Lanka in Pakistan (three T20Is)
October/November – England and Sri Lanka in Pakistan (ODI tri-series)
November – Sri Lanka in Pakistan (two Tests)
March – New Zealand in Pakistan (two Tests)

HBL Pakistan Super League (these are tentative windows during the 2023-2027 cycle):

January/February 2024 – HBL Pakistan Super League 2024
March-May 2025 – HBL Pakistan Super League 2025
December 2025/January 2026 – HBL Pakistan Super League 2026
January/February 2027 – HBL Pakistan Super League 2027

 

[Kaddy]

Only 27 Tests.

Could've easily added few more tests.

Australia isn't touring Pakistan for test, that would have been 3 more tests.

Our players hardly play test cricket during their peak years.

 

[Saj]

Of the 12 Test series that Pakistan will play between 2023 and 2027, nine series are 2 Test matches only.

Terrible.

 

[tahir_dj]

Pathetic FTP for Pakistan
While other nations have increased their Tests to almost 5
PCB is still going for 2 test series.

 

[Omer2002]

What is the point of 2 tests ..one can be rained off and no results

 

[Saj]

Pakistan's 27 Tests from 2023 to 2027:

2023
2 in S Lanka
3 in Australia

2024
2 at home v W Indies
2 at home v Bangladesh
3 at home v England
2 in S Africa

2025
2 at home v S Africa

2026
2 in B'desh
2 in W Indies
3 in England
2 at home v S Lanka

2027
2 at home v NZ

 

[Marooned]

27 tests? Beyond terrible!

We were upset over the speculated 29 tests. Instead we get 27.

With no parity between teams, test cricket is a joke and will die a clown's death.

Nortje raised the same very valid point. I'm surprised there isn't a thread on it. It's very pertinent to pakistan as well.

 

[Saj]

What is the point of 2 tests ..one can be rained off and no results

So true.

Test series should be a minimum of 3 matches.

2 Test series should not be permitted by the ICC.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Of the 12 Test series that Pakistan will play between 2023 and 2027, nine series are 2 Test matches only.

Terrible.

Absolutely pathetic to say the least. PCB should have pushed for all their home series to be 3 tests.

PCB should hang their heads in shame.

 

[Rana]

27 Tests in Pakistan cricket is enough for a guy to make his debut in this FTP and end his career by the end of it.

 

[U$ofA]

27 tests? Beyond terrible!

We were upset over the speculated 29 tests. Instead we get 27.

With no parity between teams, test cricket is a joke and will die a clown's death.

Nortje raised the same very valid point. I'm surprised there isn't a thread on it. It's very pertinent to pakistan as well.

The 27 tests does not account for the test(s) that might be cancelled. PCB have been known to cancel test and replace with T20's. So Pak. may end up only playing 25 tests in the next 4 years.

 

[Savak]

Not being able to play against India hurts Pakistan badly. You end up being 6-8 test matches short as a result

 

[Saj]

The lust for T20Is and ODIs over Tests is becoming more and more apparent with each passing year.

Sooner or later Tests will become an occasional thing in Pakistan cricket.

 

[Kaddy]

Just checked FTP.

Bangladesh is playing more tests than us.

 

[zoeyfactor]

I'm sure PCB didn't oppose less Tests or even suggested having minimal Tests in order to maximize profits, improve broadcasting deals and reinvent cricket commercial hub at home. Which makes commercial sense but agreed, atleast 3 Tests with major nations.

 

[Titan24]

No of tests pretty much like other teams with NZ and BD with a bit more other than Big 3, SA with 28 tests and Pak with 27 tests, while WI and Srl with even lesser tests with 26 and 25 respectively.

SA surprisingly playing lowest no of ODIs as well as 2nd least no of T20s.

 

[Nasty Naz]

I like the tri-series inclusion in the FTP but pretty disappointing elsewhere. So few Tests in 4 years is disappointing and it's hard to build a proper team and improve if you are barely playing Tests throughout the year.

Pretty clear PCB is all about chasing the money and only caring about T20's.

 

[Xoib]

Would have wanted more tests in 25-26 only 4 tests in the calender is too low, 24-25 & 26-27 are OK with 7 & 9 tests 23-24 has just 5 but its understandable being a world cup year more focus on odis but just 2 tests in 9 months before our bogey Aus tour is asking for another 0-3 but I guess we should take this as a norm now.

 

[Nasty Naz]

2026-27

July/August – Pakistan to West Indies (two Tests)
August/September – Pakistan to England (three Tests)
October – Sri Lanka in Pakistan (three T20Is)
October/November – England and Sri Lanka in Pakistan (ODI tri-series)
November – Sri Lanka in Pakistan (two Tests)
March – New Zealand in Pakistan (two Tests)

I am assuming we will see more things added to this calendar because it looks pretty bare bones.

Tour to Australia for Tests right after the ODI WC too. Not going to be much of a break for the players because, I hope they get there plenty early, get used to conditions and finally please for god sake, win at least one Test in Australia.

 

[Nasty Naz]

November – Pakistan to Australia (three ODIs and three T20Is)
November/December – Pakistan to Zimbabwe (three ODIs and three T20Is)
December/January – Pakistan to South Africa (two Tests, three ODIs, three T20Is)
January – Pakistan to New Zealand (three ODIs and three T20Is)
February – New Zealand and South Africa in Pakistan (ODI tri-series)

I must say, I really like how Pakistan scheduled this part outside of the Zimbabwe series. It gives Pakistan a chance to play in Australia conditions to get used to the bounce before heading to SA to play in their tough conditions and then afterwards in NZ. Will be fun to watch them come back and play in Pakistan too for a tri-series. I just hope there is enough sense to rest the Test players for the Zimbabwe series and have them immediately head to SA for practice matches instead.

 

[MenInG]

PCB happy with "hosting" whilst other sides are busy playing significantly more Tests....

As our current PM says

"Beggars can't be choosers"

 

[shariqnoor]

In the 4 year period from 2023 to 2027, Pakistan is playing 27 Tests, 47 ODIs and 56 T20Is. That's a total of 130 international games.

Historical 4 year periods
1992-1995: 32 Tests, 102 ODIs. Total 134 international games
1996-1999: 33 Tests, 130 ODIs. Total 163 international games
2000-2003: 38 Tests, 133 ODIs. Total 171 international games
2004-2007: 36 Tests, 93 ODIs, 11 T20Is. Total 140 international games
2008-2011: 29 Tests, 91 ODIs, 39 T20Is. Total 159 international games
2012-2015: 31 Tests, 95 ODIs, 45 T20Is. Total 171 international games
2016-2019: 32 Tests, 72 ODIs, 54 T20Is. Total 158 international games

We keep hearing that Pakistani cricketers are overworked. However stats show the opposite. Pakistani players relatively started playing T20 leagues from 2012-2013 onwards when the BPL and CPL were launched. And before 2007 when the T20Is weren't common, Pakistan used to play in excess of 150 international games. ODIs reducing to 47 only in 4 years is an alarming decline. Pakistan playing only 130 international games is criminal. There is still a lot of place in the calendar for teams to play more international cricket.

 

[Amjid Javed]

PCB happy with "hosting" whilst other sides are busy playing significantly more Tests....

As our current PM says

"Beggars can't be choosers"

Whilst be happy to host is fine, PCB should have pushed for every home test series to be 3 tests. Then fill rest with Tri series, T20s etc..

Yet we heard in past PCB was trying to get away from 2 Test series and now thats all they seem to be doing. its pathetic.

 

[Savak]

PCB happy with "hosting" whilst other sides are busy playing significantly more Tests....

As our current PM says

"Beggars can't be choosers"

You need to factor in the fact that Pakistan doesn't play India while the rest of the world does. Not playing against India means you are missing out on atleast 6 test matches and some ODI's, T-20's. India is where the money is which is why the entire world is desperate to host India therefore it is no surprise that India has way more games vs Pakistan.

Pakistan is not a marketable side at the moment, we have only two world class players i.e. Babar and Shaheen. To be a marketable side you need to have a good winning percentage and a side filled with match winners and then watch countries line up to host you for 3-4-5 test series.

 

[Amjid Javed]

You need to factor in the fact that Pakistan doesn't play India while the rest of the world does. Not playing against India means you are missing out on atleast 6 test matches and some ODI's, T-20's. India is where the money is which is why the entire world is desperate to host India therefore it is no surprise that India has way more games vs Pakistan.

Pakistan is not a marketable side at the moment, we have only two world class players i.e. Babar and Shaheen. To be a marketable side you need to have a good winning percentage and a side filled with match winners and then watch countries line up to host you for 3-4-5 test series.

The non indian factor has been there since 2007 so its nothing new, so the low number of test excuse when playing other test nations doesnt hold. I see no reason why we can host 3 tests at home vs NZ, SA, SL etc.. the 2 test series are a waste of time. PCB had a chance here to change that instead they have taken a pathetic cowardice stance.

 

[Nasty Naz]

In the 4 year period from 2023 to 2027, Pakistan is playing 27 Tests, 47 ODIs and 56 T20Is. That's a total of 130 international games.

Historical 4 year periods
1992-1995: 32 Tests, 102 ODIs. Total 134 international games
1996-1999: 33 Tests, 130 ODIs. Total 163 international games
2000-2003: 38 Tests, 133 ODIs. Total 171 international games
2004-2007: 36 Tests, 93 ODIs, 11 T20Is. Total 140 international games
2008-2011: 29 Tests, 91 ODIs, 39 T20Is. Total 159 international games
2012-2015: 31 Tests, 95 ODIs, 45 T20Is. Total 171 international games
2016-2019: 32 Tests, 72 ODIs, 54 T20Is. Total 158 international games

We keep hearing that Pakistani cricketers are overworked. However stats show the opposite. Pakistani players relatively started playing T20 leagues from 2012-2013 onwards when the BPL and CPL were launched. And before 2007 when the T20Is weren't common, Pakistan used to play in excess of 150 international games. ODIs reducing to 47 only in 4 years is an alarming decline. Pakistan playing only 130 international games is criminal. There is still a lot of place in the calendar for teams to play more international cricket.

To be fair, there is a World Cup every year now and each team are removing international time during their leagues so it reduces some schedule availability.

We don't know how many ODI's will be the tri-series either.

There is likely some added schedule to this anyways:

2026-27

July/August – Pakistan to West Indies (two Tests)
August/September – Pakistan to England (three Tests)
October – Sri Lanka in Pakistan (three T20Is)
October/November – England and Sri Lanka in Pakistan (ODI tri-series)
November – Sri Lanka in Pakistan (two Tests)
March – New Zealand in Pakistan (two Tests)

Outside of the tri-series, they don't have a single ODI scheduled which seems hard to believe with a 2027 ODI world cup. Unlikely Pakistan play almost an entire year of basically just Tests, 2-3 ODI's from the tri-series & 3 T20's. My guess is some ODI's & T20's get added on. Maybe the reason it hasn't been scheduled is perhaps ICC/teams of not being sure itself of ODI WC with its decline. Something to watch I think.

 

[Markhor]

November – Pakistan to Australia (three ODIs and three T20Is)
November/December – Pakistan to Zimbabwe (three ODIs and three T20Is)
December/January – Pakistan to South Africa (two Tests, three ODIs, three T20Is)
January – Pakistan to New Zealand (three ODIs and three T20Is)
February – New Zealand and South Africa in Pakistan (ODI tri-series)

I must say, I really like how Pakistan scheduled this part outside of the Zimbabwe series. It gives Pakistan a chance to play in Australia conditions to get used to the bounce before heading to SA to play in their tough conditions and then afterwards in NZ. Will be fun to watch them come back and play in Pakistan too for a tri-series. I just hope there is enough sense to rest the Test players for the Zimbabwe series and have them immediately head to SA for practice matches instead.

Good spot - a rare bit of common sense scheduling. I'm still scarred by how our No.1 ranked Test team in 2016 went from hosting WI in Sharjah to touring gloomy and overcast NZ in a matter of days with no warmup.

I don't think the scheduling is as bad as people are saying as the number of matches we're playing in each format is about par compared to the other nations.

However the scheduling for 2025 is appalling - only 2 Tests in a calendar year ?!

 

[Saj]

England 43 Tests compared with Pakistan's 27 Tests in the same period.

 

[PakLFC]

For one reason or another even these mini series will be cancelled. Someone will call a touring side of a bomb on the plane then the tour won't go ahead. This is how things happen with Pak.

 

[Donal Cozzie]

Non Big 3 sides will be forever starved of Tests until the Test fund is reinstated or the funding model is revamped. Given the ICC is a powerless institution ran at the behest of the 3 richest boards that ain't ever gonna happen.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Pakistan has no ODI fixtures lined up for a year following the culmination of the 2023 World Cup. However, there are upcoming ODI engagements as part of the Future Tours Program (FTP):

- November 2024: Pakistan is set to play 3 ODIs in Australia.
- November-December 2024: A series of 3 ODIs awaits Pakistan in Zimbabwe.
- December-January 2025: Pakistan's schedule includes 3 ODIs in South Africa.
- February 2025: An ODI tri-series involving Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa is scheduled to take place in Pakistan.
- February-March 2025: Pakistan is slated to participate in the Champions Trophy during this period.

 

[shah9425]

Pakistan has no ODI fixtures lined up for a year following the culmination of the 2023 World Cup. However, there are upcoming ODI engagements as part of the Future Tours Program (FTP):

- November 2024: Pakistan is set to play 3 ODIs in Australia.
- November-December 2024: A series of 3 ODIs awaits Pakistan in Zimbabwe.
- December-January 2025: Pakistan's schedule includes 3 ODIs in South Africa.
- February 2025: An ODI tri-series involving Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa is scheduled to take place in Pakistan.
- February-March 2025: Pakistan is slated to participate in the Champions Trophy during this period.

View attachment 138914

Shambolic scheduling
Odis needed to be added

 

[latecut]

Non Big 3 sides will be forever starved of Tests until the Test fund is reinstated or the funding model is revamped. Given the ICC is a powerless institution ran at the behest of the 3 richest boards that ain't ever gonna happen.

Why should it happen ? Why other countries cannot fund their own cricket ? Have you ever heard that Brazil funds the football activities of other football playing nations ?

 

[Kianig89]

Pakistan cricket is shrinking at rapid pace shame there is no 4test match series for Pakistan, Fu PcB