(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
PCB in Talks with West Indies to Expand T20I Series Ahead of Asia Cup and T20 World Cup
LAHORE – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed ongoing discussions with Cricket West Indies (CWI) to expand the upcoming T20I series, potentially replacing the scheduled ODIs with additional T20 matches. A final decision is expected in the coming days.
Preparing for a Packed T20 Calendar
Speaking to media after announcing the squad for Pakistan’s Bangladesh tour, PCB COO Sumair Ahmad Syed shared that the board is keen to convert the three-match ODI series into T20Is. The move aims to help Pakistan fine-tune their lineup ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2026.
“More T20 games will allow us to evaluate new players and build team chemistry,” Syed said.
“We are optimistic a solution will be reached soon.”
Mutual Benefits for Both Sides
Both Pakistan and the West Indies are in a transitional phase, with each team exploring fresh talent and experimenting with leadership options. Expanding the T20I leg of the series would offer crucial game-time to refine strategies and test combinations ahead of major international tournaments.
However, sources suggest that the West Indies board remains inclined to stick to the original schedule, which features three T20Is and three ODIs.
Scheduling and Squad Announcements Await Finalization
The final tour itinerary will depend on logistics, scheduling constraints, and venue availability. The PCB has stated that Pakistan’s squad for the West Indies series will be announced once the match formats are finalized.
If the ODIs are retained, two separate squads—one for each format—will likely be named.
What’s Next?
With the T20I series against Bangladesh kicking off on July 20, Pakistan’s management will use that tour to monitor player performances before locking in their final strategy for the West Indies series.
An extended T20 series in the Caribbean could play a key role in shaping Pakistan’s white-ball roadmap for the rest of the season.
