The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the details of the upcoming home international season, which includes a tri-nation One Day International (ODI) series. This series, marking a return after 21 years, will feature the national teams of South Africa and New Zealand alongside the host nation, Pakistan.
The tri-nation ODI series is scheduled to take place in February, with all matches being hosted in Multan.
In addition to the tri-nation series, Pakistan's home international season is packed with high-profile Test matches. The national team will compete in seven Test matches against Bangladesh, England, and the West Indies. The Test matches will be held across various cities, including Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Multan according to PCB.
The return of such an event is a significant development for Pakistani cricket, highlighting Pakistan's growing capability and readiness to host international cricket events after 21 years of being sidelined due to security concerns.
In regard to Test matches, Bangladesh will be the first to visit, playing two Test matches in August. The first Test is set from August 21 to 25 in Rawalpindi, followed by the second from August 30 to September 3 in Karachi.
England's tour in October will feature three Test matches. The first Test will start on October 7, the second on October 15, and the third on October 24.
Whereas, West Indies will round off the season with two test matches. The fixtures are scheduled to commence on January, 2025.
The announcement comes at a pivotal time for Pakistan cricket. The country has worked diligently over the past decade to restore its reputation as a safe and welcoming destination for international cricket.
Since the tragic terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009, Pakistan had largely been avoided by international teams. However, continuous efforts by the PCB, along with improvements in security measures, have slowly but surely rebuilt confidence among international cricketing nations.
