Pakistan To Play Historic Test In 2027; PSL Window Likely To Be Impacted

Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam - (Source: AFP)In a significant development, Pakistan and England are set for a historic one-off Test in early 2027. The two teams are reported to lock horns at the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, marking Pakistan’s first red-ball trip to the UK since 2020. “Next summer, an England Test against Pakistan in late May, at Old Trafford, is currently scheduled during the IPL. That precedes the Ashes, which will begin at Trent Bridge, the most northerly ground of the series.” said the media report.Pakistan’s England Tour To Overlap With IPLThe date for the upcoming one-off Test is not out yet, but the Geo Sports reports suggest that it will be in late May because the match will also serve as a practice ground for England ahead of the Ashes 2027.For the unversed, Australia will tour England for the Ashes. The dates for the Ashes are not out yet, but it will be during English summer, which means the two heavyweights are likely to play in a five-match Test series in June or July.Also Read: Hardik Pandya To Take Tough Call On Suryakumar Yadav? MI Playing XI vs RR For IPL 2026, Match 69Now, it also means that Pakistan's tour to England will also overlap with the IPL 2027 which will go from late March to last week of May or first week of June, which puts the viewership of the upcoming Test match to serious threat.Pakistan To Tour England In Late 2026Ahead of the 2027 tour, Pakistan will host England in later 2026 for a three-match Test series. Notably, the upcoming series will be a part of the WTC cycle. Here is the full schedule.England Test Series vs Pakistan in 2026First Test: August 19-23 at Headingley in LeedsSecond Test: August 27-31 at Lord's in LondonThird Test: September 9-13 at Edgbaston in BirminghamTalking about WTC 2025-2027, Pakistan are fresh off a two-match Test series defeat against Bangladesh. The disastrous series loss to Bangladesh significantly reduced Pakistan's PCT, although the Shan Masood-led team dropped to the eighth spot in the ICC World Test Championship points table.Notably, the upcoming one-off Test between Pakistan and England will not be a part of WTC cycle because the cycle will be over in March 2027 with New Zealand playing against Pakistan.PSL 2027 To Be ShiftedNotably, for the last two years, PSL has been taking place from March to May. It has been overlapping with IPL and the result has not paid off because the Pakistan's premier T20 league has taken a massive viewership hit.Now with Pakistan touring England in May 2027, it is likely that the PCB go back to preponing PSL during the February to March window. Hence, it will be an interesting call from the Mohsin Naqvi-led board.Also Read: Mumbai Indians Issue Official Statement On Rohit Sharma As An Impact Sub In IPL 2026