Pakistan is scheduled to host seven Test matches, in the 2024-25 season, marking what is anticipated to be their most active home season for red-ball cricket this century. During this period, Bangladesh, England, and the West Indies will each participate in Test series in Pakistan, commencing in August of this year and concluding in January 2025.
The PCB has officially announced the dates and schedule for the complete home season, which also features the hosting of the Champions Trophy. Nevertheless, it has only provided a preliminary schedule for the Champions Trophy, anticipated to take place from February 19 to March 9 of the upcoming year.
The home season for Pakistan is set to commence with the visit of Bangladesh, who will compete in two Test matches – one in Rawalpindi and the other in Karachi – scheduled from August 21 to September 3. Traditionally, Pakistan refrains from hosting international matches in August due to the extreme heat and humidity. Additionally, this period coincides with the monsoon season, increasing the likelihood of weather-related disruptions to the matches. Historically, Pakistan has conducted only two Test matches at home during August, both against Bangladesh in 2003.
Following the tour of Bangladesh, England is scheduled to compete in three Test matches in Multan, Karachi, and Rawalpindi from October 7 to October 28. This will be succeeded by Pakistan’s limited-overs tour to Australia and Zimbabwe, as well as an all-format tour to South Africa.
While the three ODIs and three T20Is in Australia will take place from November 4-18, Pakistan play a further three ODIs and three T20Is against Zimbabwe, all in Bulawayo from November 24 to December 5. Their tour of South Africa will begin with a T20I series from December 10, and ends with the two Tests from December 26 to January 7 in Centurion and Cape Town, respectively.
All seven home Tests will contribute to the World Test Championship, in which Pakistan currently occupies the fifth position on the points table. However, the 2024-25 home season presents a significant contrast to the previous one, during which Pakistan did not host any home Tests. The most recent Test match held in Pakistan took place in January 2023, when Karachi was the venue for a two-match Test series against New Zealand.
After the West Indies Tests, Pakistan will also host an ODI tri-series, which will have South Africa and New Zealand as the visiting teams. That will take place from February 8-14, and will comprise four games, all in Multan.
Lahore will not host any matches in any format prior to the Champions Trophy due to the ongoing redevelopment of Gaddafi Stadium. The PCB has expressed confidence that the stadium will be completed in time for the Champions Trophy, marking Pakistan’s first hosting of an ICC event in 29 years.
PCB Likely To Make Changes In The Selection Committee Following A Poor Performance In The T20I World Cup
The seven-member selection committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to experience modifications following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup. The PCB plans to conduct a review to evaluate the factors contributing to this outcome, and it is recognized that optimizing the functioning of the selection committee is a primary focus for the board.
The current selection committee was established less than three months ago. Wahab Riaz, who previously held the position of chair, was removed from that role but continued to be a member of the committee. Each of the seven members possessed an equal vote, and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated at that time that the committee would “make a majority decision based around debate and argument to reach a satisfactory conclusion”.
Wahab is unlikely to reclaim his role as the head of the committee if the position is reinstated. Sources indicate that there is a sense of frustration within the PCB, including from Wahab, regarding the public perception that he operates as the unofficial leader of the selection committee, thereby bearing the majority of the criticism directed at it.
Meanwhile, it is also known that the decision regarding Babar Azam’s captaincy is not anticipated in the near future. Although the atmosphere has grown more emotionally intense following Pakistan’s elimination from the current T20 World Cup, it is perceived that there is no urgent necessity to make a determination, especially since Pakistan’s next white-ball match is scheduled for November.
