The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially confirmed that the national cricket team will tour England in 2026 for a three-match Test series as part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Scheduled for August and September, the series promises to be a highly anticipated contest between two historic rivals in red-ball cricket.
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According to the PCB press release, the first Test will commence at Headingley, Leeds, on August 19, 2026. The action will then shift to Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, with the second Test slated for August 27. The third and final match of the series will take place at Edgbaston in Birmingham, starting September 9.
This will be Pakistan’s fourth Test tour to England since 2016, further strengthening one of cricket’s oldest and most competitive bilateral rivalries. Since their inaugural meeting in 1954, this series will mark the 29th Test series between Pakistan and England.
The announcement comes as the Pakistan team is currently touring England, where they are participating in a three-match 50-over series as well as two three-day matches. These matches are providing crucial match practice and opportunities for younger players ahead of upcoming international commitments.
In a related development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that England will host the next three World Test Championship finals, reinforcing its role as a central hub for global red-ball cricket.
Richard Gould, CEO of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), expressed excitement over the decision, stating, “We are absolutely delighted that England and Wales has been chosen to host the next three ICC World Test Championship finals.”
In addition to the England tour, the Pakistan Shaheens, the national ‘A’ team, are set for another important assignment later this year. They will travel to Darwin, Australia, to participate in the Top End T20 Series, a tournament designed to provide valuable exposure to emerging players under competitive conditions.
The dual assignments reflect the PCB’s strategic focus on building depth in the national squad while maintaining a robust presence in global cricket events. Touring England offers both a traditional challenge and a high-profile platform for the team to enhance its World Test Championship standing, while the Shaheens’ participation in Australia aims to strengthen the pipeline of future international players.
With England hosting the upcoming WTC finals, Pakistan’s 2026 tour could be a critical step in their championship campaign, potentially setting the tone for another historic clash on English soil.
