ODI tri-series in Pakistan set to be scrapped with Zimbabwe unable to travel

Ireland, the third team in the planned competition, are still expected to make the tour and play a white-ball series instead

A triangular ODI series scheduled to be played in Pakistan early next year is set to be scrapped, with Zimbabwe not expected to take part. Zimbabwe's involvement is understood to have fallen through due to commercial reasons, and both parties are believed to be working on an alternate window.

Ireland and Zimbabwe were scheduled to play the series in Pakistan in January 2027, but now it's likely to be scaled down to a bilateral white-ball series between Pakistan and Ireland. A home Test against Ireland was also in the works, but Cricinfo understands that possibility has receded.

"The PCB and Cricket Ireland are currently working through a revised schedule for the tour, and details will be made available shortly," a Cricket Ireland spokesperson told Cricinfo.

While both parties were believed to have been actively working on the tour, including the one-off Test match, shifting priorities now render that possibility increasingly remote.

Pakistan have made no secret of their desire to play more 50-over cricket in an ODI World Cup year. They are scheduled to host Sri Lanka and England in a tri-series next month. A five-match ODI series in Bangladesh is also in the works, while another five in England next summer have been confirmed.

Ireland, meanwhile, play the World Cup qualifiers in February in a bid to ensure they make it to the finals later in the year, scheduled to be hosted in October-November by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, and the ODIs again Pakistan will help them prepare for it.