Pakistan to Participate in 13 Test Matches in Upcoming WTC Cycle

The road ahead appears challenging for Pakistan in the new ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, presenting a series of new obstacles.

Over the course of the next two years, the national side is scheduled to engage in six Test series, encompassing both home and away fixtures, which will amount to a total of 13 Test matches.

Notably, the schedule does not include any Test series against prominent Test-playing nations such as Australia and India. The last Test series between Pakistan and India occurred back in 2007. Furthermore, there are no scheduled Tests against Afghanistan or Ireland.

Between 2025 and 2027, Pakistan is set to play a three-Test series against England. The remaining five series will each be composed of two Tests.

Since the inception of the WTC, the Pakistani team has faced considerable challenges and has yet to secure a spot in the final.

In the most recent cycle, the team concluded in ninth position, having won only five out of 14 Tests and suffering nine defeats.

Currently, the PCB is adopting a strategy of assembling specialized squads for each of the three cricket formats.

The immediate concern revolves around the selection of a captain and head coach specifically for the Test format.

Pakistan’s next Test challenge will be a home series against South Africa in approximately four and a half months. Following this, in March of the coming year, the team will tour Bangladesh for a series of two Tests.

Looking ahead to July 2026, Pakistan will participate in two Test matches in the West Indies, succeeded by a three-Test series in England during August and September.

In November 2026, Sri Lanka is scheduled to tour Pakistan for a two-Test series. Subsequently, in March 2027, New Zealand will play two Tests in Pakistan.

The 2025–27 edition of the WTC is slated to commence on June 17, immediately following the 2025 final, with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh competing in Galle.