The five-match ODI series in England will provide crucial preparation for Pakistan and England before the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the Pakistan cricket team will tour England in May 2027 for a five-match One-Day International (ODI) series, with the matches serving as important preparations for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
The bilateral series will give both teams valuable match practice ahead of the global tournament, which is scheduled to be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 4 to November 21, 2027.
Five-match ODI series schedule announced
According to the PCB, the ODI series will begin on May 15, 2027, with the opening match taking place in Southampton. The remaining fixtures will be played across several iconic English venues.
The complete schedule is as follows:
- 15 May: 1st ODI – Southampton
- 19 May: 2nd ODI – Manchester
- 21 May: 3rd ODI – Leeds
- 23 May: 4th ODI – Chester-le-Street
- 26 May: 5th ODI – Cardiff
The series is expected to provide both sides with an opportunity to fine-tune their combinations, assess player form and adapt to competitive conditions ahead of cricket’s biggest 50-over event.
Important preparation before the World Cup
The PCB stated that the ODI series has been arranged as part of both teams’ preparations for the 2027 World Cup.
With the tournament set to take place in southern Africa, international bilateral series during the lead-up to the event will play an important role in helping teams build momentum and finalise their squads.
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At present, Pakistan are ranked fifth in the ICC Men’s ODI rankings, while England occupy seventh place, making the contest an important challenge for both sides.
Pakistan’s busy England schedule
Before returning for the ODI series in 2027, Pakistan will also travel to England next month for a three-match Test series, scheduled to run from August 19 to September 13.
The Test tour will provide another significant opportunity for Pakistan to compete in English conditions against one of the world’s leading cricket nations.
Pakistan’s previous ODI tour of England
Pakistan last played an ODI series in England in 2021. During that tour, former captain Babar Azam emerged as the highest run-scorer of the series with 177 runs, including a memorable 158-run innings in the third ODI.
The upcoming five-match series is expected to renew the rivalry between the two sides while offering valuable preparation ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
