Pakistan Likely to Tour Australia for Three-Match Test Series: Full 2025–26 WTC Cycle Analysis, Schedule Details & What This Tour Means for Both Sides
Pakistan cricket is once again gearing up for one of the toughest assignments in international cricket — a full-fledged Test tour to Australia. According to strong international media reports and confirmations from prominent Australian journalists, Pakistan is expected to travel Down Under for a three-match Test series as part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2027–29 cycle.
While an official announcement is still awaited from both the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket Australia (CA), the dates, venues, and broad series structure have already been widely reported. The tour is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated red-ball series of the upcoming WTC cycle — especially given the historical rivalry, Pakistan’s struggles in Australian conditions, and Australia’s dominance at home.
Let’s dive in.
🟢 Pakistan Set to Tour Australia for Three-Match Test Series (Reports)
Strong reports from international cricket outlets suggest that Pakistan will play a three-match Test series in Australia. The proposed venues are:
- 1st Test – Adelaide Oval
- 2nd Test – Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
- 3rd Test – Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)
These three iconic venues make this a traditional Australian Test home season lineup — Adelaide for the day-night possibility, Melbourne for Boxing Day, and Sydney for New Year.
While the dates have not been finalized, the structure aligns with Australia’s typical home window between November and January.
Why This Matters
Pakistan touring Australia is always a major storyline due to:
- Australia’s dominance on home soil
- Pakistan’s long history of struggles there
- High-quality fast bowling expected from both sides
- Packed stadiums and massive global viewership
- Valuable WTC points at stake
This upcoming series is especially significant because it is part of the new WTC 2027–29 cycle, meaning Pakistan will begin a fresh campaign with one of their toughest tours up front.
🟡 Why the Test Tour Matters in the Larger FTP Context
Australia was originally scheduled to tour Pakistan in 2026 for a white-ball series in two phases:
- Three T20Is — January 30 to February 5
- Three ODIs — March 13–19
However, these plans have now shifted.
ODI Series Likely Postponed
Sources now confirm:
- The ODIs will not be played in March 2026
- PCB and CA are discussing a revised schedule
- The series may now take place after PSL 11
This shifting of fixtures indirectly opened a window for Pakistan’s Test tour of Australia.
The revised plan will likely be announced soon.
🟦 Full Expected Test Series Structure (Based on Reports)
While not officially released, the following structure is widely reported:
| Test Match | Venue | Expected Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Adelaide Oval | Likely November/December | Possible day-night Test |
| 2nd Test | Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) | Around Dec 26 (Boxing Day) | The world’s biggest Test event |
| 3rd Test | Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) | Early January | New Year’s Test |
This follows the traditional Australian Test season lineup.
🟣 Australia vs Pakistan – Complete Test Rivalry History
Australia and Pakistan have played 72 Tests in history:
- Australia wins: 37
- Pakistan wins: 15
- Drawn: 20
Australia holds a massive advantage, especially in home conditions.
Pakistan’s record in Australia (very poor)
Pakistan has not won a Test match on Australian soil since 1995.
They have suffered multiple:
- 3–0 whitewashes
- Innings defeats
- Top-order collapses against swing & bounce
- Struggles against pace-friendly conditions
The last tour in 2024 ended in a:
👉 3–0 whitewash — under new Test captain Shan Masood.
This makes the upcoming tour even more critical for Pakistan’s WTC ambitions.
🟥 Recap: Pakistan’s Last Test Tour of Australia (2024)
Pakistan’s 2024 tour was memorable for the wrong reasons:
- Complete 3–0 whitewash
- Batting collapses
- Missed chances in the field
- Lack of control from the bowling unit
- Inconsistent middle-order performance
- Australia’s dominance with pace and bounce
Key Australian performers included:
- Pat Cummins
- Mitchell Starc
- Travis Head
- Usman Khawaja
- Marnus Labuschagne
The one-sided nature of the series raised big questions about Pakistan’s Test preparation and squad building.
🟩 Why This Upcoming Tour Is Different
Pakistan will likely come into this tour with:
- New coaching setup
- New captain (expected)
- New squad structure
- Stronger WTC planning
- New domestic talent pipeline
- A chance to rebuild after several years of instability
Australia, meanwhile, remain in a golden era of fast bowling and batting consistency.
This contrast could make the series intriguing.
🟧 WTC 2027–29: Why These Points Matter
This Test series is Pakistan’s first big WTC assignment in the new cycle.
Pakistan desperately needs a strong start in WTC
Why?
- They have struggled in previous WTC cycles
- Their overseas results have been poor
- Their home series are not always guaranteed points
- Starting with a tough tour gives clarity early in the cycle
Even one Test win in Australia could significantly shift the WTC table.
🟪 Key Storylines to Watch
1. Can Pakistan finally break the 30-year losing streak?
Winning a Test in Australia is a massive challenge.
Pakistan will need:
- A stable top order
- Quality swing bowlers
- Accurate spinners
- Improved fielding
- Brave captaincy
2. Shaheen Afridi vs Australia’s Big Three
Shaheen’s role will be massive.
He will challenge:
- David Warner (if still active)
- Usman Khawaja
- Labuschagne
- Smith (if playing next cycle)
3. Australia’s new bowling era
Australia is shifting into a new generation:
- Starc nearing retirement window
- Cummins evolving as captain
- Emerging bowlers like Lance Morris coming in
Pakistan will face a mix of experience and youth.
4. Pakistan’s batting vulnerability
Batting collapses have killed Pakistan in Australia.
Players who must step up:
- Babar Azam
- Abdullah Shafique
- Saud Shakeel
- Agha Salman
- Mohammad Rizwan
5. Pressure on PCB’s new management
The tour will heavily reflect on:
- Selection committee decisions
- Captaincy choices
- Player development
🟦 Australian Venues Overview – How They Affect Pakistan
1. Adelaide Oval
- Pink-ball Test very likely
- Pakistan notoriously weak with the pink ball
- Lateral movement at night will test the top order
2. MCG
- Boxing Day crowd pressure
- Swing early, batting-friendly later
- Pakistan historically struggle with long batting sessions
3. SCG
- Spin-friendly
- Best chance for Pakistan
- Could help Abrar Ahmed & Nawaz
🟫 Why Australia vs Pakistan Test Series Attracts Global Attention
Even though the results have been one-sided historically, this rivalry still delivers:
- High-quality fast bowling
- Big crowds
- Asian fanbase in Australia
- Historic venues
- Media hype around Babar Azam
- Australia’s iconic players
- Dramatic batting collapses
- Memorable spells of fast bowling
The 2027–29 cycle tour is expected to receive global coverage.
🟩 Expert Breakdown: Challenges for Pakistan
TOP-ORDER FRAGILITY
Early wickets are common in Australia.
Lack of consistent fast-bowling backup
Shaheen alone cannot win Tests.
Fielding issues
Dropped catches cost Pakistan the 2024 tour.
Spin dependency
Only SCG will support spin; others won’t.
Short preparation time
Pakistan often arrive late to Australian tours.
Mental pressure
30 years of winless Test history adds weight.
🟨 Why This Tour Is Important for Australia
- Home WTC points are crucial
- Transitional era for their bowling
- Chance to test bench strength
- Financially lucrative series
- Build momentum for Ashes 2027
Australia will treat this as a key home season.
🟥 The White-Ball Series: What Happened to It?
Australia was originally set to visit Pakistan in two phases:
PHASE 1 – T20I Series (Jan 30–Feb 5, 2026)
- Three T20Is
- Pre–T20 World Cup 2026
- Still expected to go ahead
PHASE 2 – ODI Series (March 13–19, 2026)
- Now unlikely
- ODI series will be rescheduled
- New window likely after PSL 11
This rearrangement has allowed the Test series announcement to take shape earlier.
🟦 ICC Future Tours Programme & Pakistan’s Busy Calendar
PCB is balancing:
- PSL 11
- Tri-series commitments
- Asia Cup cycles
- Incoming tours
- WTC matches
- Australia series
The updated Test tour aligns well with Pakistan’s long-term FTP plan.
🟩 What Fans Can Expect From This Tour
1. High-speed bowling battles
Shaheen vs Cummins
Naseem vs Starc
Wasim Jr vs Green
Morris vs Shakeel
2. Massive crowds
Australia vs Pakistan draws huge attendance.
3. Boxing Day hype
MCG could see 70k+ fans if Pakistan performs well.
4. Emotionally intense clashes
Pakistan always play with heart in Australia.
5. Big media coverage
Australian and Pakistani media heavily cover this rivalry.
🟪 Players to Watch – Pakistan
- Shaheen Afridi
- Naseem Shah
- Abrar Ahmed
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Saud Shakeel
- Babar Azam
- Agha Salman
🟧 Players to Watch – Australia
- Pat Cummins
- Mitchell Starc
- Cameron Green
- Travis Head
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Usman Khawaja
- Lance Morris
🟦 Final Analysis: What This Tour Means for Pakistan Cricket
This Test tour could define Pakistan’s trajectory in the next WTC cycle.
If Pakistan performs well:
- Massive boost for morale
- WTC table advantage
- Redemption after 2024 whitewash
- Strengthening of Test identity
- Revival of pace bowling legacy
If Pakistan performs poorly:
- Another cycle begins with pressure
- Heavy criticism on PCB
- Tough road in WTC
- Further questions on team stability
This is more than a tour — it’s an opportunity for Pakistan to rewrite history.
🟨 Cricketory Insights & Analysis
Pakistan’s potential three-match Test tour of Australia is more than just another bilateral series — it’s a complete litmus test for Pakistan’s red-ball structure.
🧠 1. Cricketory Tactical Insight
This tour will deeply expose:
- Pakistan’s inconsistent top order
- Their lack of swing-bowling depth
- Fielding gaps that Australia always punish
- Dependence on a few big names
Pakistan must arrive early, play at least two warm-up matches, and commit to long batting sessions — something they’ve avoided in previous tours.
🔥 2. Cricketory Pressure Analysis
Australia at home is the Mount Everest of Test cricket.
Historically:
- The bounce breaks Pakistan’s batting
- The swing exposes their technique
- And the relentless pace attacks exhaust their bowlers
Unless Pakistan fixes these structural issues, a repeat of the 2024 whitewash is possible.
🟢 3. Cricketory Opportunity Meter
Despite the pressure, Pakistan has real opportunities:
- SCG will help their spinners
- Khawaja’s presence adds a Pakistan-origin storyline
- Shaheen + Naseem can rattle Australia early
- Saud Shakeel could become the breakout star
Winning even one Test will be treated as a monumental achievement — and a massive WTC points boost.
📉 4. Cricketory WTC Impact
Starting a fresh WTC cycle with a tough away tour may look risky, but it gives Pakistan:
- A perfect reality check
- A chance to stabilize early
- Clarity about team strengths/weaknesses
- Motivation to rebuild the Test culture
🟦 5. Cricketory Verdict
Australia enters as overwhelming favourites.
Pakistan enters with potential and pressure.
The series will tell us:
- Whether Pakistan’s Test cricket is progressing
- Whether their batting has finally matured
- Whether their pace unit is world-class or overhyped
- Whether PCB’s new structure is effective
Either Pakistan rewrites history,
or Australia extends dominance.
🟢 Conclusion
Pakistan’s likely three-match Test tour of Australia in the 2027–29 WTC cycle is shaping up to be one of the most compelling series in upcoming Test cricket. With massive stakes, iconic venues, rich history, and global fan interest, this tour will dominate cricket headlines worldwide.
From scheduling changes to ODI series revisions, WTC implications, player battles, and historic rivalries — this tour includes everything cricket fans dream of.
Pakistan now has the chance to break a 30-year drought in Australia, rewrite their Test legacy, and begin the new WTC cycle with ambition and aggression.
The cricket world will be watching.
❓ FAQs Pakistan Vs Australia 2027–29
Q1. Is Pakistan officially confirmed to tour Australia for a Test series?
A: Not officially yet, but multiple top-tier Australian journalists have confirmed the three-Test plan.
Q2. How many Tests will Pakistan play in Australia?
A: Three Tests — Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney.
Q3. Why was the ODI series in Pakistan postponed?
A: PCB and CA are revising the schedule; ODIs will likely be shifted after PSL 11.
Q4. When was the last time Pakistan won a Test in Australia?
A: 1995 — almost 30 years ago.
Q5. Why is this series important for the WTC?
A: It’s Pakistan’s first major assignment in the 2027–29 World Test Championship, meaning early points are crucial.
Q6. What is Pakistan’s biggest challenge in Australia?
A: Handling bounce, swing, long spells from Australian quicks, and avoiding batting collapses.
Q7. Which venue gives Pakistan the best chance to win?
A: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) — because it supports spin.
Q8. Will the Adelaide Test be day-night?
A: Very likely, but not confirmed.
Q9. Who are Pakistan’s key players for the tour?
A: Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Abrar Ahmed.
Q10. Who are Australia’s most dangerous players?
A: Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc (if still active).