ECB announces schedule for Pakistan's Test tour to England in May 2018

E-Paper | May 02, 2026

The English Cricket Board (ECB) on Tuesday announced the dates for Pakistan team's short tour in May 2018, where the green shirts will play two Tests against England.

The first Test will be held at Lord's stadium from May 24-28, while the second will be played in Emerald Headingley from June 1-5.

“Test match cricket has a strong, consistent and passionate following across England and Wales and the seven summer Tests, starting with the Pakistan matches, are sure to attract good crowds," the ECB Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison was quoted as saying.

Following Pakistan, Scotland, Australia and India will also tour England. Australia will play five one day internationals (ODI) and one Twenty20, while India will play five Tests, three ODIs and three T20s against the home side.

Last year Pakistan, on its tour to England, had managed to draw Test series 2-2 against the home side under Misbah-ul-Haq's captaincy.

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Zaraq Khan

Sep 05, 2017 03:33pm

Always a larger number of matches for India. Sad

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Humayun Manzoor

Sep 05, 2017 03:44pm

I can't understand why India has been awarded 5 tests, 3 ODI and 3 T20 in 2018 tour of England as against Pakistan's 2. Pakistan had level the last Test series by 2-2. Moreover Pakistan is Champions Trophy holder of 2017 in ODI. Why we are deprived of the opportunities to play.......

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always learning

Sep 05, 2017 03:47pm

We will play in difficult batting conditions. In May and June, it is often cold and wet. Yet, we have the bowling too.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Sep 05, 2017 03:51pm

Welcome to the club.

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Malik

Sep 05, 2017 03:59pm

Five test for India and only two test for Pakistan. Same useless number of tests offered to pakistan by every good test side

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Irfan

Sep 05, 2017 04:11pm

@Malik It's usual. English summer normally starts with a tour by a team with 2 tests. Last year, Pakistan was offered 4 tests after Sri Lanka played 2 tests there. Though test matches in early English summer do not suit Asian teams and it would be very tough for Pakistan's batting lineup.

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hamad

Sep 05, 2017 04:18pm

This is unjust. Only two tests. Neither competitive nor fruitful. The series should at least comprise on three tests practically or five tests ideally.

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Shafiq

Sep 05, 2017 04:18pm

2-0 win foe england is strong prediction. As erly summer, then no much warmups, and well Lords and Headingly always very tough.

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Yahya Ali

Sep 05, 2017 04:41pm

India was whitewashed 4-0 in 2011 and was defeated 3-1 in 2014 still 5 test for them and only two test for us who drawn the series in England just recently

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Taqi Quli

Sep 05, 2017 04:45pm

Positive news just out. Pakistan has played a full series last year including 4 tests. Every year England plays 2 series and one is little shorter. Its good that our boys will be playing 2 tests in early summer so slightly different condition v/s we played in July/Aug time last year. The question of getting number of tests in a series depends on the cricket board, its negotiation and international calendar.

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fairy

Sep 05, 2017 04:54pm

unfortunately in Pakistan test cricket does not have strong following, so only two matches

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Amanullah Lodhi

Sep 05, 2017 04:57pm

What is this by ECB !!! A humiliation of Pakistani cricket team??? Why even play 2 tests in a country which is now regarded more like third world country rather than a civilized European one?? Besides with just 2 tests matches on the roster ... there would not be much charm for the crowd except bunch of Barons' families sitting with their puppies enjoying sunny days.

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Imran

Sep 05, 2017 05:00pm

They should have included one more test or at least 3 Odis to add with test matches.. nevertheless I am looking forward to it. Pakistan must settle their test side before the tour.

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vorshal

Sep 05, 2017 05:26pm

@Humayun Manzoor -- Please read Pakistan's cricket ranking in Test Match Cricket.

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Zulfi

Sep 05, 2017 05:52pm

Some people are overreacting. England play 7 tests (either 3+4 or 2+5) every Summer and all the major test teams get to play 4 to 5 tests at least every 4 to 5 years. This is just a shortened series. Pakistan played 4 tests in 2016 and our next proper series will hopefully be in 2020 or 2021

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RIZ

Sep 05, 2017 06:09pm

Finally India will be playing test outside of their comfort zone. Mark my words India will lose the test series in England and Pakistan will either win or draw (not just because they are playing 2 tests) Pakistan is better team then India when playing away series.

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sam

Sep 05, 2017 06:17pm

Pakistan already played last year and this is additional opportunity given to Pakistan. India is playing it routine schedule tour while Pakistan will get additional routine schedule of 4 test again as per schedule. but if you see after 2010 issue,Pakistan did not get enough series in ENG.Now they will get regular tours.

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A Ali

Sep 05, 2017 06:22pm

why we accept just 2 tests ?. we should decline it and ask for min 4 tests... this is a treatment given to low ranking cricketing nations... Sethi is getting us humiliated. we always give them a full series like 3 tests, 3 odis and 3 t20 whether in UAE or PAK.

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Taqi Quli

Sep 05, 2017 06:41pm

@Zulfi - I agreed. Can't play a full series every year. This short series is one of ECB ask after seeing the competitiveness of our team and the support in England.

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Yousuf

Sep 05, 2017 07:13pm

May is cold damp and cloudy in England and the ball swings and jaggs around. Pakistan could be for a hiding for nothing

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marcus

Sep 05, 2017 08:15pm

Cancel - Its all about rankings....home advantage to England and without Misyou Pakistan is likley to lose 2-0. Cancel is the best thing Pakistan can do and have 5 test series the year after.

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Joe

Sep 05, 2017 08:27pm

Good news for Pakistan. But the amount of money that just IPL generates for BCCI is mind boggling "On Monday the BCCI sold IPL’s TV and digital rights to Star India for a staggering sum of $2.55 billion (Rs 16,347.5 crore) for the five-year rights cycle from 2018 to 2022. "

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Joe

Sep 05, 2017 08:32pm

@Humayun Manzoor "On Monday the BCCI sold IPL’s TV and digital rights to Star India for a staggering sum of $2.55 billion (Rs 16,347.5 crore) for the five-year rights cycle from 2018 to 2022." Please remember sports to has a very important financial aspect.What you read above in my comments should tell you financial power of BCCI .It addds 73℅ to ICC coffer.

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Karachiwala

Sep 05, 2017 08:59pm

@Humayun Manzoor Pakistan's tour is a bonus because Pakistan's next planned tour to England would have been in 2020. India last played in England in 2014 and this is their planned normal tour.

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Rahul Singh1

Sep 05, 2017 09:08pm

@RIZ I did mark ur word...Let see who is right

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syed shahzad bukhari

Sep 05, 2017 10:11pm

Two tests is not ideal to see should be at least of 3 to 4 test matches.

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syed shahzad bukhari

Sep 05, 2017 10:33pm

PCB should refuse the tour.

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F/o Zak

Sep 05, 2017 10:42pm

@RIZ and still India tops the list and pakistan is at the rock bottom.....thus concludes.

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Sarah

Sep 05, 2017 11:31pm

@Shafiq First they need to find way to deal with Azhar,Shafiq,Sarfraz and Company,otherwise nothing will change for England no matter how many times they play Pakistan whether difficult or favorable condition.The way Pakistan team decimated Indian team in Champion's Trophy 2017 it will be remembered for ages.

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Aslam Qadri

Sep 06, 2017 02:48am

The reason why everyone wants to HOST India is due to two factors, One is there Test Rankings, they are Number 1 in the World. Second, The Host nation, gets all the money, that comes in from Indian Broadcasters and Indian Companies sponsoring or Co-Sponsoring the Series. Either, you Get a Rank above the Host or Get your Sponsors/Money...

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Ali

Sep 06, 2017 06:57am

@Humayun Manzoor, if England wins those games against mighty strong "on paper" team India then that will boost their chances to go on top of the rankings, their is no point in playing with Pakistan extra number of games since those will not have that much impact on the rankings for England. Also no offense Pakistan actually and normally give hard time to England, like if you recall last year. Where as for India its not so good, their chance of winning even a single game is like a dream. Dawn kindly publish it please ,why you dont publish my stuff guys?

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Mahen

Sep 06, 2017 08:50am

@RIZ ".Pakistan is better team then India when playing away series." Really? In their last 12 match tour of Australia,Aust won 6, India won 4 (including a whitewash) and 2 matches drawn. So how as Pakistan better in Australia? Commentors were ridculing Pakistans standard. Not a single win! As for SA- Pakistan were rolled over for 44 runs in the first session of the test. Enough said. Pakistan in England, Pakistan won 3 matches, and lost 6 in the 9 match tour. Remember 444? India,s last 10 match tour of England, India won 4, and lost 4 with 2 draws! Please explain how is Pakistan better?

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Lodhia Ebrahim

Sep 06, 2017 09:50am

@vorshal Please look at India's humiliating record in England in 2011 and 2014. The team that plays better in English conditions should be given priority. The spectators would want to watch competitive cricket and not just drubbing by one team. India has yet to show a serious performance overseas in the last 3 to 4 years.

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Mahen

Sep 06, 2017 10:08am

@RIZ See records how India performs away. For example in the last 10 match tour of Australia- Aussies won6; India won 4 and 2 matched drawn. How did Pakistan go in Australia?

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F/o Zak

Sep 06, 2017 10:09am

@A Ali when giants play minnows should not enter.

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Maaz

Sep 06, 2017 10:11am

India have big market for TV rights , recently IPL signed 2.2 billion contract with star India this contract bigger than ICC broadcasting rights for 8 years . That's why why all teams wants to play against India including pakistan .

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Parveez

Sep 06, 2017 10:39am

We should not be playing 2 tests and that too in may. You will play in cold conditions and you will lose. Pakistan only played in 2016. One has to gain respect for your country. Pakistan should not be playing a 2 match series.

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Yogi baba

Sep 06, 2017 03:21pm

@Humayun Manzoor . It is directly proportional to the revenue generated.

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Mahen

Sep 06, 2017 03:54pm

@RIZ "Pakistan is better team then India when playing away series" India just hammered Sri lanka 9-0 thumping in Sri Lanka. Forget away- see if your team beats SL at home!

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RIZ

Sep 06, 2017 05:52pm

@Mahen Remind me when was the last time India won the test series in England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and Indian cricket board knows that they can't win there that's whey they don't visit to these countries for test series.

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Saad

Sep 06, 2017 06:17pm

The reason England has given 5 tests to India is they know they will beat them as they don't have the bowling for english conditions. England will make chutney of India. Pakistan on the other hand might spoil their summer as they did last summer, so gave them only 2 tests. Talk about home advantage!!!

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Mahen

Sep 07, 2017 05:25am

@RIZ Remind me when was the last time Pakistan won the test series in England, Australia, New Zealand West Indies and South Africa

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Moomkeen Miya

Sep 07, 2017 06:14am

Why the English team is refusing to play on Pakistani wicket??

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