The planned ODI tri-series involving Pakistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe scheduled for January 2027 has been scrapped. The tournament will no longer proceed in its original format after Zimbabwe withdrew from the tour citing commercial reasons.
Despite the cancellation of the triangular event, Ireland is still expected to travel to Pakistan during the January window. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket Ireland are currently in negotiations to finalize a revised bilateral itinerary.
Shift to Bilateral ODI Series
The original tour schedule for Ireland included a one-off Test match and three T20Is. However, these fixtures are now expected to be replaced by a three-match ODI series. This shift aligns with the PCB’s strategy to prioritize 50-over fixtures as preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
A Cricket Ireland spokesperson confirmed the ongoing discussions regarding the tour: “The PCB and Cricket Ireland are currently working through a revised schedule for the tour, and details will be made available shortly.”
The cancellation of the January 2027 event is independent of other scheduled triangular tournaments. Pakistan remains scheduled to participate in a tri-series against England and Sri Lanka in October 2026.
Zimbabwe’s withdrawal for commercial reasons has forced the host board to pivot toward bilateral arrangements to maintain its international calendar for the early 2027 window. No official replacement for the third team has been announced, making a bilateral series with Ireland the most likely outcome.
