Pakistan vs Ireland in January 2027: tri-series with Zimbabwe set to be scrapped
Zimbabwe are not expected to travel, so the January ODI tri-series in Pakistan is likely to become a Pakistan vs Ireland white-ball series. The one-off Test looks off too.

Pakistan vs Ireland in January 2027 is set to become a two-team white-ball series, after the planned ODI tri-series with Zimbabwe fell through, ESPNcricinfo reported on Wednesday 30 September 2026. Zimbabwe are not expected to travel to Pakistan, for what Cricinfo describes as commercial reasons, and the boards are looking for another window.
Ireland are still expected to tour. A Cricket Ireland spokesperson told Cricinfo that the PCB and Cricket Ireland "are currently working through a revised schedule for the tour, and details will be made available shortly." A one-off home Test against Ireland had also been discussed, but Cricinfo reports that possibility has receded.
What changes for Pakistan fans
| Before | Now (expected) | |
|---|---|---|
| Teams | Pakistan, Ireland, Zimbabwe | Pakistan, Ireland |
| Format | ODI tri-series | White-ball bilateral series (ODIs, possibly T20Is) |
| When | January 2027 | January 2027, dates to come |
| Test | One-off Test in the works | Increasingly unlikely |
No dates, venues or match count have been announced. We will add them to this page the day the PCB publishes them.
Why Pakistan still want the games
2027 is an ODI World Cup year, hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October and November, and Pakistan want as much 50-over cricket as they can get before it. The season already has:
- October 2026: three T20Is against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi from 9 October, then an ODI tri-series with Sri Lanka and England from 18 October, final in Lahore on 31 October.
- November 2026: two Tests against Sri Lanka.
- Later: a five-match ODI series in Bangladesh is being worked on, and five ODIs in England next summer are confirmed.
For Ireland, the series is preparation for the World Cup qualifiers in February 2027, which they need to get through to reach the finals.
Every confirmed Pakistan fixture, in Pakistan time, is on our Pakistan cricket schedule 2026-27. Before that, Pakistan play Bangladesh in the Asian Games semi-final at 5am PKT on Thursday.
Going to a match
Ticket prices for the Sri Lanka and England games have not been announced yet. If you are driving to Rawalpindi or Lahore from another city, work out the round trip with our fuel cost calculator at today's petrol price. Live scores of every match Pakistani fans follow are in our cricket match centre.
This space is available. Advertise on Searchable, from Rs 3,000 a week.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Pakistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe tri-series cancelled?
- It is set to be scrapped. ESPNcricinfo reported on 30 September 2026 that Zimbabwe are not expected to travel for commercial reasons, and the January 2027 event is likely to become a Pakistan vs Ireland white-ball series.
- When is Pakistan vs Ireland?
- Ireland are expected to tour Pakistan in January 2027. Dates, venues and the number of matches have not been announced; Cricket Ireland says a revised schedule is being worked out with the PCB.
Sources
More in Cricket
Cricket
Australia vs South Africa 3rd ODI: Proteas lead 2-0, result near midnight PKT
Australia bat first in Potchefstroom as a rested South Africa chase a clean sweep. Timings in Pakistan time, both XIs, the series so far and the Test dates.
1h ago
Cricket
ILT20 auction 1 October: Babar Azam among 17 Pakistanis, base price Rs 22 million
Babar, Fakhar and Naseem sit in the USD 80,000 top bracket in Dubai on Thursday. Here is every Pakistan player's base price in rupees and what each franchise can spend.
10h ago
Cricket
Pakistan vs England 2026: Buttler out injured, ODIs in Rawalpindi 20 Oct and Lahore 25 Oct
Jos Buttler misses the tour with a hamstring injury. Pakistan play England twice in the home ODI tri-series, with the final in Lahore on 31 October. Every date, venue and result.
4d ago
Cricket
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026: schedule, venues and results, T20Is from 9 October
Every Pakistan vs Sri Lanka match this autumn in one place: three T20Is in Rawalpindi, two tri-series ODIs and two Tests. Updated with times, squads and results as they come.
4d ago



Reader comments 0
No comments yet. Say something useful.