Pakistan to tour West Indies for Test series in July-Aug
Talha Javed:
Lahore: Cricket West Indies has unveiled its 2026 home international schedule, with Pakistan set to visit the Caribbean for a two-match ICC World Test Championship series during the busy season.
The West Indies will also welcome Sri Lanka and New Zealand for multi-format tours as part of a packed cricket calendar stretching from June to August 2026.
Pakistan to play two Tests in Trinidad and Tobago
Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies will feature two Test matches in Trinidad and Tobago. The opening Test will take place at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy from July 25 to 29.
The second and final Test will be played at Queen’s Park Oval from August 2 to 6. The first Test will also mark the inaugural Test match hosted by the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
The two-match Test series against Pakistan will form part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. West Indies are currently placed ninth and last in the standings after losing seven of their first eight matches in the current cycle.
The Caribbean side will also play a two-Test series against Sri Lanka in the championship.
Sri Lanka tour begins in June
Sri Lanka’s tour of the West Indies will include both white-ball and Test matches. Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, will host the limited-overs leg of the tour between June 3 and June 14.
The series will feature three One-Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals. The Test matches against Sri Lanka will be held at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.
The first Test is scheduled for June 25 to 29, while the second will take place from July 3 to 7.
New Zealand to play five ODIs
New Zealand’s tour will consist of a five-match ODI series only. The matches will be played between July 11 and July 21 as part of preparations for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup next year.
Guyana’s National Stadium will host the first three ODIs. The final two matches will be played at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Originally, all five ODIs against New Zealand were scheduled to be played in Guyana. However, Cricket West Indies said logistical challenges led to a revised arrangement.
CWI chief executive Chris Dehring said discussions were held with the government of Guyana regarding operational issues related to hosting all five matches.
According to Dehring, the governments of Guyana and Barbados proposed a collaborative arrangement to split the fixtures and operational costs.
“Following consultation with New Zealand Cricket, Cricket West Indies approved the arrangement as part of its continued commitment to delivering a successful and memorable series for players, fans, and the wider Caribbean community,” Dehring said in a statement.
Full Pakistan tour schedule
Pakistan tour of West Indies 2026
- July 25-29: 1st Test – Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago
- August 2-6: 2nd Test – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago
West Indies eye improved Test campaign
West Indies will enter the home season hoping to improve their standing in the World Test Championship. The team has struggled in the current cycle and currently sits at the bottom of the table after eight matches.
The upcoming home series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan will provide an important opportunity to revive their campaign.
