England will host Pakistan and New Zealand for two separate three-match Test series during the summer of 2026, while India and Sri Lanka will visit for white-ball assignments, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Thursday.
Pakistan’s much-anticipated red-ball return to English soil is scheduled to begin on August 19, marking their first Test tour of the country since 2020. The three-match series will be played at iconic venues — Headingley in Leeds, Lord’s in London, and Edgbaston in Birmingham — all of which have been at the heart of many historic moments between the two sides.
New Zealand will also tour England earlier in the summer, with their series kicking off in June. The first of those three Tests will be staged at Lord’s.
“It’s terrific to see so many different nations coming over to compete and we can expect another summer of big crowds and fantastic cricket,” said ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould in a statement.
Full schedule confirmed for Pakistan’s England tour
The Pakistan Test series, a part of the current ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, is seen as critical for both sides. England are eyeing a spot in the WTC Final, potentially to be played on home soil, while Pakistan will be looking to assert themselves in red-ball cricket after a mixed run in the ongoing cycle.
The three-Test schedule is as follows:
| Test | Dates | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | August 19–23, 2026 | Headingley | Leeds |
| 2nd Test | August 27–31, 2026 | Lord’s | London |
| 3rd Test | September 9–13, 2026 | Edgbaston | Birmingham |
The two sides share a long-standing and storied rivalry in Test cricket, often characterised by tight finishes, controversy, and moments of brilliance. Their last red-ball encounter in England came during the COVID-impacted summer of 2020, where all matches were played behind closed doors.
In the current WTC cycle, Pakistan’s campaign has seen fluctuating fortunes, prompting the board to try different combinations. By the time of the 2026 tour, the side is expected to be under new management, with Azhar Mahmood currently assigned only for upcoming tours of South Africa and Bangladesh.
The squad itself could see a number of fresh faces, with selectors likely to bring in younger talent in a bid to build a more competitive Test outfit. England, too, are expected to introduce new players, with several veterans nearing the end of their careers.
India and Sri Lanka to play white-ball series
Alongside the two marquee Test series, England will also host India and Sri Lanka for white-ball tours following the conclusion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka earlier that year.
While full schedules for the limited-overs fixtures are yet to be released, both teams are expected to play a mix of One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), forming part of England’s preparation for the next Champions Trophy.
The 2026 summer promises to be one of England’s most diverse cricketing seasons, with top-tier cricket expected to draw crowds across formats and venues. The home board will be hoping to capitalise on fan engagement and rebuild momentum after mixed results in recent bilateral series.
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