ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s international cricket commitments from 2027 to 2031 will come under focus as the ICC begins a key cricket operations workshop in Dubai to shape the next Future Tours Programme (FTP), with the PCB seeking greater bilateral commitments with England and Australia.
🚨 ICC WORKSHOP AGENDA – DUBAI
• More T20Is, fewer ODI bilaterals
• More tri-series & quadrangular series
• PCB pushing for more Pakistan–Australia & Pakistan–England matches
• Talks to add Zimbabwe, Ireland & Afghanistan to the WTC
• New DRS technology suppliers being… pic.twitter.com/3ZXWw0Zfok— Mian Ahmad (@aHmADmIaN150) September 23, 2026
The workshop, beginning Tuesday, will discuss the international calendar for the cycle following the current FTP, which ends in March 2027. While the meetings are expected to settle many major commitments, the complete FTP is unlikely to be finalised this week because of several unresolved scheduling issues.
The final programme is expected to be presented at the ICC quarterly meeting in Bali in November.
Read Also: Pakistan Test Cricket Team’s Performance in 2020s Decade
Pakistan’s England, Australia commitments
Pakistan have already secured a five-match ODI series against England next summer, while a three-Test tour of Australia is scheduled for the 2027-28 season.
The PCB has been pushing for increased bilateral commitments with England and Australia, particularly as bilateral cricket between Pakistan and India remains unavailable.
🚨 MORE T20Is, FEWER ODIs? 🚨(Cricinfo)
ICC is considering a major shift in the 2027–31 Future Tours Programme:
– More T20Is could be added to bilateral schedules.
– Bilateral ODI series may be reduced.
– The growing T20 franchise calendar is also being considered while…
— Rana Ahmad. (@AhmadRana056) September 22, 2026
Pakistan’s England tour had initially involved discussions about a one-off Test, depending on Pakistan’s prospects of reaching the World Test Championship 2025-27 final, but the commitment has now been set as a five-match ODI series.
The three-Test tour of Australia in 2027-28 will provide another significant Test assignment for Pakistan during the upcoming FTP cycle.
T20Is likely to increase
The wider FTP discussions are expected to focus on increasing the number of T20 internationals between Full Members, potentially reducing the number of bilateral ODIs as international cricket faces increasing pressure on the calendar.
T20 cricket has become a major growth vehicle for the ICC, with the men’s T20 World Cup also scheduled every two years compared with the four-year cycle of the ODI World Cup.
The expected shift does not mean ODIs are being sidelined. The 50-over World Cup remains one of international cricket’s major events, while members have discussed making bilateral ODIs more meaningful through formats such as tri-series and quadrangular competitions.
Read Also: ‘No Big Three, Just Champions’: South Africa’s WTC Win Redefines Cricket’s Power Order
Big-three calendar largely settled
Australia, England and India have already made substantial progress on their major commitments for the 2027-31 cycle.
The Ashes is expected to follow its traditional pattern, with England hosting Australia in 2027, Australia hosting the series in 2029-30 and England hosting again in 2031.
England are also scheduled to tour India for a Test series in early 2028 before hosting India in 2029.
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will create another major scheduling challenge, with cricket returning to the Olympic programme for the first time since 1900. The men’s T20 competition is expected to take place in July, potentially overlapping with England’s home Test series against the West Indies.
Read Also: Pakistan Ready to Host England, Sri Lanka ODI Tri-Series Starting from October 18
World Test Championship format under review
The future structure of the World Test Championship will also be an important issue during the discussions.
The possibility of expanding the WTC beyond its current nine-team structure has been debated, with an ICC working committee having recommended the inclusion of Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Ireland and the possible introduction of one-Test series.
Zimbabwe are understood to be keen on joining the WTC, although it remains unclear whether Afghanistan and Ireland will be included.
The ICC is yet to make a final decision on whether the championship will expand for the next cycle, which is expected to run from 2027 to 2029.
Read Also: Cricket World Cup Revamp Could See Extra India-Pakistan Clash as ICC Unveils 2027 Format
ICC also to review DRS technology
The workshop will also include discussions on the ICC’s DRS accreditation programme as the governing body considers expanding the number of approved technology suppliers.
Hawk-Eye and Virtual Eye are currently the ICC-approved suppliers for DRS technology across international cricket.
With the next FTP having to accommodate bilateral series, ICC events, the WTC, the 2028 Olympics and the growing T20 calendar, members face a complex task in finalising the international schedule for 2027 to 2031.
