In 2024-25, Pakistan will host seven Test matches, marking their busiest red-ball home season in this century. Bangladesh, England, and the West Indies will play a Test series in Pakistan between August 2024 and January 2025. Additionally, the country will host the Champions Trophy, although only a draft schedule for the tournament has been released, with the event expected to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025.
Season Kickoff with Bangladesh
The home season begins with Bangladesh's tour, featuring two Tests in Rawalpindi and Karachi from August 21 to September 3. Despite the high heat and humidity of August, traditionally not a time for home internationals in Pakistan, the series will proceed, with potential weather interruptions due to the monsoon season. Historically, Pakistan has hosted only two Tests at home in August, both against Bangladesh in 2003.
England's Tour and Subsequent Series
Following Bangladesh, England will visit for three Tests in Multan, Karachi, and Rawalpindi from October 7-28. This will be succeeded by Pakistan’s limited-overs tours to Australia and Zimbabwe, and an all-format tour to South Africa. The matches in Australia, comprising three ODIs and three T20Is, will occur from November 4-18. Pakistan will then play three ODIs and three T20Is in Zimbabwe, all in Bulawayo, from November 24 to December 5.
South Africa and West Indies Series
The South Africa tour will commence with a T20I series from December 10, concluding with two Tests from December 26 to January 7 in Centurion and Cape Town. West Indies, who postponed their January 2024 tour due to a congested schedule, will play two Tests in Karachi and Multan from January 16-28, 2025. The originally planned T20Is will not take place.
Test Championship and Tri-Series
These seven home Tests are part of the World Test Championship, where Pakistan currently ranks fifth. This busy season contrasts sharply with the previous one, where no home Tests were played. The last Test in Pakistan was held in January 2023 in Karachi against New Zealand.
ODI Tri-Series and Champions Trophy
Following the West Indies series, Pakistan will host an ODI tri-series featuring South Africa and New Zealand from February 8-14, with all matches in Multan. Lahore, the PCB headquarters, won't host any matches until the Champions Trophy due to the redevelopment of Gaddafi Stadium. The PCB is confident that the stadium will be ready for the Champions Trophy, marking the first ICC event hosted by Pakistan in 29 years. However, it's uncertain if India, the only team in the Champions Trophy not to have visited Pakistan since international cricket resumed there in 2015, will participate.
Detailed Schedule
Tests against Bangladesh
- Aug 21-25: First Test, Rawalpindi
- Aug 30-Sep 3: Second Test, Karachi
Tests against England
- Oct 7-11: First Test, Multan
- Oct 15-19: Second Test, Karachi
- Oct 24-28: Third Test, Rawalpindi
Tests against West Indies
- Jan 16-20, 2025: First Test, Karachi
- Jan 24-28: Second Test, Multan
ODI Tri-Series vs NZ and SA
- Feb 8: Pakistan v New Zealand, Multan
- Feb 10: New Zealand v South Africa, Multan
- Feb 12: Pakistan v South Africa, Multan
- Feb 14: Final, Multan
Champions Trophy
- Feb 19 - Mar 9