اردو
  • No Pakistan-India series in proposed ICC FTP

    ICC File photo ICC

    Pakistan is set to play 28 Test matches in four-year cycle from 2019 to 2023 if the new proposed Future Tour Program (FTP) is approved without any changes. Green shirts are also penciled to play 38 ODIs and 38 T20Is in the same period.

    Interestingly, the proposed program does not have a single series between Pakistan and India.

    The proposed FTP will be presented for initial approval before the ICC’s chief executive committee in February, and once approved, it will be presented for final approval from the ICC board in June 2018.

    According to details, the new FTP has also provided Indian Premier League (IPL) a bilateral free window, which means no team will be playing any bilateral cricket between April and May.

    The new FTP has more Test matches allocated to Bangladesh (35) than Pakistan, New Zealand (28 each), Sri Lanka and West Indies (29 each).

    Surprisingly, number of ODIs to be played by Pakistan (38) is fewest among all 12 countries. Even Zimbabwe (40), Afghanistan (41) and Ireland (42) will have more matches than Pakistan in the four-year cycle.

    The four-year program will see two cycles of ICC Test leagues in which each side will play six selected opponents in two years’ cycle, before two top teams meet for ICC Test championship final.

    Pakistan will host South Africa, and tour Australia and New Zealand for Tests in 2019-20. In 2020-21, Pakistan will host Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and tour England.

    The final of first Test championship is penciled to be held in June 2021.

    In year 2021-22, Pakistan will host Australia, and tour Bangladesh and West Indies for Tests. In 2022-23, Pakistan will host England and New Zealand for home series, and tour Sri Lanka for the away series to complete the second cycle of Test Championship.

    Pakistan will also host home ODIs against Australia and Zimbabwe in 2020-21, it will also play away series against Afghanistan and a 13th team to be joined later in same season as part of ICC ODI league.

    In 2021-22, Pakistan team will play ODI league series against New Zealand and West Indies at home, and England and South Africa at away venues.

    Window for ICC events are also penciled in the new FTP with World Cup 2019 to be held between May 30 and July 14. The ICC World T20 in 2020 will be held from October 24 to November 15.

    ICC Champions Trophy in 2021 will be held from October 27 to November 14, while World Cup 2023 will be played from February 9 to March 26.