Pakistan to face West Indies in two-Test WTC Series next July

LAHORE  –  Pakistan’s men’s cricket team is set to return to the Caribbean next year, with a two-match Test series against West Indies scheduled for July–August 2026, Cricket West Indies (CWI) Vice President Azim Bassarath confirmed on Wednesday. The series will form part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle and is aligned with Pakistan’s Future Tours Programme (FTP).

The announcement was made by Bassarath, who also serves as President of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), during an executive luncheon held at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain. He revealed that the Pakistan tour will run from July 15 to August 7, featuring two Tests at iconic venues in Trinidad.

According to Bassarath, Pakistan will begin their Caribbean assignment with a four-day warm-up match at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA), which will also host the second Test of the series. The opening Test is scheduled to be played at the historic Queen’s Park Oval. “We will host the Pakistan tour of the Caribbean from July 15 to August 7, 2026, comprising a four-day warm-up match at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, the first Test match at Queen’s Park Oval and the second Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy,” Bassarath said.

He also highlighted the growing stature of the BLCA, noting that the venue has now achieved full international accreditation. “I am pleased to note that the Brian Lara Cricket Academy is now a fully accredited international venue capable of hosting matches in all formats,” he added, underlining its increasing importance in the West Indies cricket infrastructure.

While the venues and tour window have been confirmed, the detailed match schedule, including exact dates and start times, is expected to be finalised and announced at a later stage by the respective boards.Pakistan and West Indies share a long-standing and competitive red-ball rivalry, with recent Test encounters producing evenly matched contests. The two sides last met in a Test series in January this year, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Pakistan had also toured the Caribbean in 2021 for a two-Test series, which similarly concluded level at 1-1.Earlier this year, Pakistan visited West Indies for limited-overs cricket, featuring in three ODIs and three T20Is.

The Nation