Cricket

Pakistan's cricket calendar for the 2024-25 season is set to be their busiest in over two decades, with seven Test matches scheduled to be played on home soil. The PCB has announced the dates and schedule for the entire home season, which also includes hosting the Champions Trophy.The home season will begin with the arrival of Bangladesh for a two-Test series in August, followed by a three-Test series against England in October. After a limited-overs tour of Australia and Zimbabwe, Pakistan will host South Africa for a T20I series and two Tests in December.The home Tests against West Indies will start nine days later, with the matches to be played in Karachi and Multan. All seven home Tests will be part of the World Test Championship, where Pakistan are currently ranked fifth.After the West Indies Tests, Pakistan will also host an ODI tri-series, which will have South Africa and New Zealand as the visiting teams. The Champions Trophy, the first ICC event Pakistan will host in 29 years, is scheduled to be held from February 19 to March 9.However, it remains to be seen if India, the only team in the Champions Trophy to not have travelled to Pakistan since international cricket resumed in the country in 2015, agree to make the trip.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the schedule for the Indian cricket team's highly anticipated international home season for 2024-25. The season promises a thrilling array of Test and limited-overs matches against formidable opponents.The season kicks off in September with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The first Test will be played in Chennai from September 19th, while the second Test will take place in Kanpur from September 27th. Following the Test series, India will host Bangladesh for a three-match T20I series.In October, India will face New Zealand in a three-match Test series. The first Test will commence in Bengaluru on October 16th, with the second and third Tests scheduled for Pune and Mumbai, respectively.As the calendar turns to 2025, India will welcome England for a five-match T20I series and three ODIs. The T20I series will begin in Chennai on January 22nd and will feature matches in Kolkata, Rajkot, Pune, and Mumbai. The ODI leg will commence in Nagpur on February 6th, followed by matches in Cuttack and Ahmedabad.The home season will provide the Indian team with an opportunity to test their mettle against some of the world's top cricketing nations. The Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand will be crucial for India's World Test Championship aspirations, while the limited-overs matches against England will offer valuable preparation for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup.