Pakistan to play a total of 121 international games during 2019-2023 according to the updated FTP

In the Future Tours Programme workshop that took place in Singapore this month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been reported to have made significant gains. This has come to light after some minor changes have been made considering the complaints about the previous FTP.

Earlier, Pakistan were scheduled to play 104 internationals between May 2019 and May 2023. However, according to ESPNCricinfo, the updated version has them playing 121 international games which include two Test matches, five One-Day Internationals and 10 T20Is more as compared to the earlier FTP. The opponents for the additional games are yet to be confirmed.

Thus, in that perspective, Pakistan are expected to play as many games at par with any other country in this passage. The list of games is 124 for Bangladesh, followed by 123 for Australia, 122 for South Africa, 119 for New Zealand and so on. There might be more changes to consider as the final version is to be placed in February to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Pakistan have been slated to play a total of 30 Tests according to the new FTP. However, the officials suggest that the number could’ve been higher if there weren’t 3 ICC tournaments scheduled to take place during that period. The Pakistan Super League (PSL) was also taken into consideration.

The mega events

The World T20 in Australia in 2020 is scheduled to be played during October and November that year, as is the Champions Trophy in India 2021 though they won’t be played over two months. The 2023 World Cup in India is going to be played across February and March. The PSL is likely to be shifted for that particular year.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has expressed their interest to play more quality games than quantity. Their opponents for these games have been classified on the basis of the value they provide to a broadcast deal.

They’re expected to play 46% of their total home games against countries like Australia, South Africa, England and Bangladesh. These opponents would provide them with a higher broadcasting deal as compared to New Zealand and West Indies. However, no games have been scheduled against India. Currently, there’s a pending matter at the hands of ICC dispute resolution process concerned with the 19 matches against India.