Mohsin Naqvi and the Pakistan team [Source: AFP]Earlier in September, reports of Pakistan hosting an ODI tri-series featuring Zimbabwe and Ireland were gaining massive attention. However, in a recent update, the tournament is on the verge of being cancelled. Originally scheduled to be played in January 2027, the tri-series also included a proposed full-fledged tour of Ireland. However, all of these plans seem to be watered down by the Pakistan Cricket Board, just months ahead of the tournament, due to a high-priority target.Pakistan Cricket Board set to cancel mega tri-seriesAs per a recent report from Pakistan Nation, the proposed tri-nation series is facing uncertainty. According to the report, the tri-series under consideration is likely to be cancelled because Zimbabwe's national team is unlikely to tour Pakistan. Instead, Ireland might travel to Pakistan for only a three-match ODI series. Among these developments, Pakistan's proposed Test and three-match T20 series against Ireland is also facing uncertainty, which was also set to be played next year.Meanwhile, it is also important to note that Pakistan is currently under military threat, with recent escalation against Afghanistan. The Pakistani military launched direct air strikes targeting locations inside Afghanistan, with officials also declaring a state of open war following intense retaliatory shelling and retaliation from the Taliban camp. Amid this war situation, the developing tri-series has now been postponed and is more likely to be cancelled, with Zimbabwe’s rejection. However, there's another added layer to the cancellation that the Pakistan Cricket Board has prioritised for now.Also Read- Pakistan’s Record In Men's Asian Games HistoryWhy is the tri-series set to get cancelled?As per the same report from Pakistan Nation, the Pakistan Cricket Board's think tank wants to focus more on ODIs ahead of next year's World Cup. As per sources, for Pakistan, which is currently playing the Asian Games, the schedule for next year is also being prepared, which will have high priority for the ODI format because of the upcoming World Cup 2027. As the discussed tri-series is not officially cancelled yet, consultations among the three cricket boards are continuing, and a final decision will be taken after mutual discussions take place.Why is Pakistan focusing on the World Cup 2027?The reason behind Pakistan focusing on the World Cup 2027 is their poor record. In the tournament, they have won the ICC title only once, back in 1992 under captain Imran Khan, while being runners-up in 1999 after getting defeated by Australia. Although they have managed to be at the semi-final stage multiple times in the tournament, out of the 49 matches they have played, they have 37 losses accounted for. Nevertheless, the Pakistan cricket team has been improving slightly in their recent ODI run in the past two years, winning 17 ODI games out of the 32 they have played, but their overall ODI record is underwhelming.In the overall record, the team has won 529 matches out of the 1,002 matches played, accounting for a win-to-loss ratio of 1.194 since their first game in 1973.Also Read- Nathan Ellis Among 2 Australian Players Ruled Out of South Africa ODIs
