LONDON: Discussions over restructuring England’s summer schedule for 2027 have led to a change of venue for a proposed stand-off Test against Pakistan, with Lord’s Cricket Ground now emerging as an alternative to Old Trafford.
The proposal is one of several options under consideration as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) works with key stakeholders to finalize the fixture list for the next international cycle.
However, planning remains unresolved and is subject to ongoing negotiations.
According to a report published on May 23, the Pakistan men’s team is set to play a lone away Test against England next May, ahead of the much-anticipated 2027 Ashes series.
The match was originally expected to be played at Old Trafford, timed to coincide with the Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
The same report added that the match is tentatively scheduled for late May at Old Trafford, ahead of the Ashes opener at Trent Bridge – a venue that has not hosted an Ashes Test since 2015.
Earlier indications from another English media outlet suggested that the ECB was weighing a long-term extension of its Test relationship with Pakistan to include a five-match series in the next ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
In the current cycle, England are already set to host Pakistan in a three-match Test series between August 19 and September – Pakistan’s first overseas tour since 2020. The series is set to begin at Headingley before moving on to Lord’s and Edgbaston.
If Lord’s is not chosen to host the 2027 WTC final, an early summer stand-alone Test against Pakistan is seen as a possible alternative. However, officials are yet to confirm any final arrangement.
Meanwhile, with the 2027 WTC final expected to be played at The Oval, there are ongoing concerns about the quality of the pitch at Lord’s. England will host the event for the fourth time in 2025 by hosting the final at Lord’s, with South Africa defeating Australia.
The ICC has already confirmed that England will host the next three finals in London until 2031, with the ECB involved in the selection process.
A final decision is expected by next month, ahead of the official release of the 2027 fixture schedule.