Pakistan are set to host Bangladesh, England and the West Indies in Test matches at home in a very busy 2024/25 season, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Friday. The schedule also includes a tri-match series at home to New Zealand and South Africa for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set for February 19-March 9.
Pakistan’s home season begins with two Test matches against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi (August 21-25) and Karachi (August 30-September 3), before hosting three Test matches against England in Multan (October 7-11), Karachi (October 15-19) and Rawalpindi (October 24-28).
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Pakistan will then tour Australia from November 4 to 18 to play three ODIs and as many T20Is, before touring Zimbabwe from November 24 to December 5 to play three ODIs and as many T20Is at Queen’s Sports Club, Bulawayo. The South African tour begins on December 10 with three T20Is and as many ODIs, followed by two Test matches each in Centurion and Cape Town.
On their return, Pakistan will play two Test matches against the West Indies in Karachi (January 16-20) and Multan (January 24-28) before taking on New Zealand and South Africa in a three-match ODI series in Multan from February 8-14 in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy.
“It was extremely important for us to decide, finalise and announce the 2024-25 domestic international cricket season now, allowing both the men’s cricket team management and PCB event staff sufficient time to prepare, plan and deliver these series to very high expectations and standards, demonstrating Pakistan as a great cricketing nation and the PCB as a fully professional organisation,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said in a statement.
“By announcing the full schedule of domestic international matches, we are inviting and encouraging avid local and touring cricket fans to start planning their holidays. Not only will they get to enjoy exciting and intense cricket, they will also have the opportunity to explore this beautiful country which has so much to offer.”
“These series are a key part of our strategy to strengthen Pakistan’s position in international cricket and ensure the long-term sustainability of the sport in our country. Throughout the 2024-25 domestic international cricket season, the PCB aims to promote, grow and develop the game by attracting new fans and spectators,” he said.
The nine Test matches against Bangladesh, England, South Africa and West Indies will be part of the ICC World Test Championship for 2023-25. Till now, Pakistan have played five Test matches in the two series against Sri Lanka and Australia, winning two and losing three and sitting fifth in the points table with 22 points.
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Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will not host a single match in the 2024/25 home season as it is currently undergoing redesign and redevelopment works as part of preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
“This is also a fantastic opportunity to commercially leverage the series and maximise revenue which will be reinvested in player welfare, infrastructure development and raising the profile of domestic and women’s cricket.”
“The visit of five top cricketing nations to Pakistan ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, followed by seven nations participating in the main tournament over the following eight months, highlights Pakistan’s status and prestige in international cricket. We deeply value the participation of these teams and players, who will bring great talent and competitive spirit to our stadiums,” Naqvi added.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed (IANS))
