
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced an action-packed home schedule for the upcoming season, including listing the tentative dates for Champions Trophy 2025. In what is termed their busiest red-ball international home season in the century, Pakistan will host seven Tests from August (this year) to January 2025. Bangladesh, West Indies and England are three touring teams.
In the now-released draft schedule of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (already submitted to the ICC and boards of all participating nations), the PCB will host the eight-team tournament from February 19 to March 9. Although all stakeholders have agreed on the draft schedule, the Indian Cricket Board has yet to respond, with questions raised over their participation.
Owing to what unfolded during the 2023 Asia Cup, when Sri Lanka roped in as the last-minute co-host since the BCCI and the Indian Govt. denied sending the team to Pakistan (the hosts of the tournament), speculations of the PCB facing a similar fate are doing rounds.
Meanwhile, the eight participating teams are – Pakistan (hosts), India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Australia, England and South Africa. West Indies, Sri Lanka and Ireland missed out on the qualification cut.
Pakistan will begin the home season with two Tests against Bangladesh – in Rawalpindi and Karachi, from August 21 to September 3. Considering the monsoon and the humidity that follows during this month, Pakistan usually doesn’t host matches in August. However, the last they hosted a series during this time was against Bangladesh in 2003.
After Bangladesh, England will tour Pakistan for three Tests from 7-28 October, with Multan, Karachi and Rawalpindi playing hosts, respectively.
Pakistan will then travel to Australia and Zimbabwe for the limited-over tours before flying to the Rainbow Nation (South Africa) for a full-fledged series. While Pakistan will play three ODIs and as many T20Is Down Under from 4-18 November, they will take on Zimbabwe in a similar itinerary from November 24 to December 5.
Pakistan’s tour of South Africa begins with three T20Is, followed by three ODIs and two Tests.
Meanwhile, Pakistan will host the West Indies for two Tests from 16-28 January in Multan and Karachi, respectively.
Ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan will host New Zealand for three ODIs from 8-12 February.
(With inputs from agencies)