ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to organize a high-profile One-Day International (ODI) tri-series in October-November this year as part of an ambitious plan to provide maximum exposure to the national squad ahead of the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The News has learnt from reliable sources that arrangements for the series are in the final stages, with England and Sri Lanka expected to join hosts Pakistan in what promises to be a highly competitive tournament. Under the proposed format, each team will play two matches before the top two sides advance to the final.
The tri-series is being viewed as a crucial component of Pakistan’s long-term World Cup strategy, aimed at helping the team management and selectors identify the most effective combinations well before the global showpiece event.
“Negotiations have almost been completed and the PCB is keen to stage the tournament in a befitting manner. The primary objective is to prepare the national side for the World Cup and ensure that players gain valuable experience against quality opposition,” a senior official this correspondent.
“The selectors and team management want sufficient time to assess combinations, evaluate bench strength and build a settled squad. The tri-series will play an important role in that process,” the official added.
The development comes against the backdrop of Pakistan’s disappointing performances in recent ICC events. The national team failed to secure semi-final berths in the last three major global tournaments, two T20 World Cups and one ODI World Cup, prompting serious introspection within the cricket establishment about the team’s ability to consistently deliver on the biggest stage.
Sources revealed that the PCB is determined to avoid last-minute experimentation and instead build a strong, balanced unit through sustained international exposure over the next 18 months.
“The focus is on developing a competitive and settled combination well before the World Cup. This tri-series, along with several other international assignments in the coming months, is part of a broader roadmap designed to maximize preparation time and ensure Pakistan enters the tournament fully equipped to challenge the best teams,” the source said.
Sri Lanka’s participation could also pave the way for an extended tour, with the Islanders expected to remain in Pakistan for a two-Test series that will form part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle.
The ODI matches are likely to be staged in Lahore and Rawalpindi, two venues that have regularly attracted large crowds for international fixtures. The tournament is expected to generate considerable interest among local cricket enthusiasts while also providing Pakistan with an opportunity to test players under pressure against top-quality opposition.
Interestingly, the PCB is also expected to continue its policy of preparing spin-friendly surfaces for ODI cricket, similar to those used during the ongoing series against Australia. Team management believes such conditions will help Pakistan sharpen its spin resources, which could prove decisive during the World Cup.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson in his Tweet (X) defended the strategy, dismissing the perception that preparation should be centered exclusively around pace-friendly conditions because of South Africa’s involvement as a co-host.
In a post on social media platform X, Hesson emphasized that the World Cup would not be confined to South African venues alone. “Zimbabwe and Namibia have venues where spin is a major factor and we will be playing matches in those countries,” Hesson said. “The myth that all pitches in South Africa are fast and bouncy is simply not accurate. While some surfaces do offer pace and bounce, conditions vary significantly across the region.”
His comments underline Pakistan’s determination to build a versatile squad capable of adapting to a wide range of conditions across the three host nations. With England and Sri Lanka likely to provide stern competition and World Cup planning gathering momentum, the proposed tri-series could prove a defining step in Pakistan’s quest to rebuild confidence and assemble a formidable unit for cricket’s biggest ODI event in 2027.
