On the same day the Pakistan Cricket Board’s domestic department unveiled its 2026-27 calendar without any scheduled 50-over competition in the World Cup year, its international cricket department announced a five-match ODI series against England from 15 to 26 May 2027.

The matches will be played in Southampton, Manchester, Leeds, Chester-le-Street and Cardiff and, according to the PCB, “will provide both sides with valuable preparation for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, which will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from 4 October to 21 November.”

Pakistan last toured England for an ODI series in 2021, suffering a 3-0 defeat. Since the inaugural ODI series between the sides in England in 1974, Pakistan have yet to win a bilateral one-day series there, losing 10 of the 11 series played. Their best result came in 2006 under Inzamam-ul-Haq when they earned a 2-2 draw.

Pakistan, currently ranked fifth in the ICC ODI Team Rankings, are well placed to secure direct qualification for the World Cup, while seventh-ranked England remain among the teams vying to finish inside the automatic qualification places.

Although the International Cricket Council has yet to confirm the qualification pathway for the 2027 World Cup, hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe are assured of places in the tournament, while eight teams are expected to qualify through the ICC ODI Team Rankings, with the remaining four progressing from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

England (93 rating points) are currently seventh, three points clear of Afghanistan (90), followed by Bangladesh (83), West Indies (77), Ireland (54) and Scotland (43).

Series schedule:

15 May: First ODI, Southampton

19 May: Second ODI, Manchester

21 May: Third ODI, Leeds

23 May: Fourth ODI, Chester-le-Street

26 May: Fifth ODI, Cardiff