Pakistan to Host Seven Tests in 2024-25

Pakistan is set for a busy cricket season in 2024-25, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announcing an extensive schedule that includes hosting Bangladesh, England, and the West Indies for Test series, as well as the ICC Champions Trophy. This will be Pakistan’s busiest red-ball home season of the century, with a total of seven Tests scheduled from August 2024 to January 2025.

The home season will kick off with Bangladesh visiting for a two-Test series from August 21 to September 3. Matches will be held in Rawalpindi and Karachi, despite the challenging August weather, traditionally marked by high heat and humidity, along with the monsoon season. This marks a rare instance of Pakistan hosting Test matches during this period, the last occurrence being against Bangladesh in 2003.

Following Bangladesh, England will arrive for a three-Test series from October 7 to 28, with matches slated for Multan, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. This series promises to be a highlight of the season, given the historical rivalry and the competitive nature of previous encounters between the two teams.

After the Test series against England, Pakistan will embark on a limited-overs tour of Australia and Zimbabwe, followed by an all-format tour of South Africa. The Australian leg will feature three ODIs and three T20Is from November 4 to 18, while the Zimbabwean tour will see Pakistan playing three ODIs and three T20Is in Bulawayo from November 24 to December 5. The South African tour, starting December 10, will conclude with two Tests from December 26 to January 7 in Centurion and Cape Town.

The West Indies will then tour Pakistan for two Tests in January 2025, with matches scheduled in Karachi and Multan from January 16 to 28. The originally planned T20Is for this series have been canceled due to scheduling constraints.

The season will also feature an ODI tri-series with New Zealand and South Africa in February, followed by the Champions Trophy from February 19 to March 9. This tournament will be significant as Pakistan hosts an ICC event for the first time in 29 years. However, there are uncertainties regarding India’s participation, as they have not toured Pakistan since international cricket resumed there in 2015.

“Lahore will not host any fixtures this season as Gaddafi Stadium undergoes redevelopment,” the PCB stated. “However, we are confident it will be ready in time for the Champions Trophy.”