Pakistan trim Ireland tour to ODIs only

Pakistan will host Ireland for a one-day international series early next year after shelving plans for a more extensive programme that also included a one-off Test and a triangular ODI series featuring Zimbabwe, The Express Tribune has learnt. According to a well-placed source, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had initially considered hosting Ireland for a one-off Test and an ODI series, alongside a tri-series involving Zimbabwe. However, the expanded programme was deemed financially unviable, prompting the PCB to scale back its plans and restrict Ireland’s visit to an ODI series. The move comes as Pakistan look to give their 50-over squad extensive match practice ahead of the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, which will be staged in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia later next year. The Ireland series is expected to form part of a busy ODI programme for Pakistan in the build-up to the global tournament. A five-match ODI series against Bangladesh is also in the pipeline, while Pakistan are scheduled to play five ODIs against England next summer. Pakistan are also set to host England and Sri Lanka for an ODI triangular series in October as preparations for the World Cup gather pace. Ireland, meanwhile, will first have to negotiate the World Cup qualifiers in February to secure their place at the tournament.