By ABDULLAH 
Cricket fans are in for a thrilling ride next summer as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has officially released its 2026 international cricket schedule, featuring a power-packed season of red-ball and white-ball action. Among the highlights is Pakistan’s much-anticipated three-match Test series against England — a crucial part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that the national team will tour England for a three-Test series scheduled between August 19 and September 13, 2026. The matches will be held at iconic Test venues — Headingley, Lord’s, and Edgbaston.
Pakistan’s 2026 Test Tour of England:
- 🏟️ 1st Test: August 19–23 at Headingley, Leeds
- 🏟️ 2nd Test: August 27–31 at Lord’s, London
- 🏟️ 3rd Test: September 9–13 at Edgbaston, Birmingham
This will mark Pakistan’s fourth Test tour of England since 2016 and the 29th overall bilateral Test series between the two nations, who first faced off in red-ball cricket in 1954. The Test series is expected to draw global attention, especially after England’s dramatic 2-1 win in Pakistan during the 2024 season.
In another major development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has chosen England as the host nation for the next three World Test Championship Finals, further cementing the country’s reputation as the heart of international red-ball cricket. ECB CEO Richard Gould expressed his excitement, calling it a “privilege to host the pinnacle of Test cricket on home soil.”
Here’s a snapshot of England’s action-packed men’s schedule across formats:
- England vs New Zealand – June 4–29
- 1st Test: June 4–8, Lord’s
- 2nd Test: June 17–21, Kia Oval
- 3rd Test: June 25–29, Trent Bridge
- England vs Pakistan – August 19–September 13
- 1st Test: August 19–23, Headingley
- 2nd Test: August 27–31, Lord’s
- 3rd Test: September 9–13, Edgbaston
- T20Is:
- July 1 – Durham
- July 4 – Manchester
- July 7 – Nottingham
- July 9 – Bristol
- July 11 – Southampton
- ODIs:
- July 14 – Edgbaston
- July 16 – Cardiff
- July 19 – Lord’s
- T20Is:
- September 15 – Southampton
- September 17 – Cardiff
- September 19 – Manchester
- ODIs:
- September 22 – Durham
- September 24 – Headingley
- September 27 – Kia Oval
The 2026 summer will also see England host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time since 2009. The tournament will run from June 12 to July 15, marking a monumental chapter for women’s cricket in the UK.
Adding to the excitement, Lord’s will host its first-ever women’s Test match from July 10–14 as England Women face India in a historic four-day red-ball clash.
- May 10 – 1st ODI, Chester-le-Street
- May 13 – 2nd ODI, Northampton
- May 16 – 3rd ODI, Cardiff
- May 20–25 – T20I Series
- May 28–June 2 – T20I Series
- July 10–14 – One-off Test at Lord’s
- Sept 1 – ODI, Leicester
- Sept 3 – ODI, Derby
- Sept 6 – ODI, Worcester
Aside from the England tour, the Pakistan Shaheens are currently in England for a limited-over series, and later this year, they are scheduled to participate in the Top End T20 Series in Darwin, Australia, highlighting a busy season ahead for the Men in Green.
The 2026 cricket summer in England promises to be one of the most memorable in recent history. With heavyweights like Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka touring, and the return of the Women’s T20 World Cup, the calendar is packed with high-stakes, historic encounters across formats.
From the legacy of Lord’s to the fireworks of T20s, fans across the globe should mark their calendars and grab their tickets early.