West Indies vs Pakistan ODI series in chaos after PCB's sudden change of stance

We are less than 15 days away from the beginning of the white-ball series between the hosts West Indies and the visitors Pakistan. However, at this late moment before the tour begins, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly made a request to change the schedule, which has created chaos before Pakistan's tour commences.  

Starting from July 31, West Indies will host a three-match T20I series and another three-match ODI series against Pakistan. With the ODI series, the West Indies will conclude their 2025 home summer before traveling to India. While Central Broward Park (Lauderhill, Florida, United States) will host the T20I series, Brian Lara Cricket Academy (San Fernando, Trinidad) will host the ODI series. 

See Also: West Indies announce squad for Australia T20Is

Pakistan wants to convert ODI series to T20I series 

However, according to the latest Cricbuzz report, the PCB has requested that Cricket West Indies (CWI) convert the Trinidad leg, which has been scheduled for three ODIs, into all three T20Is. The report further added that the PCB may consider options if the CWI doesn't consider the rescheduling request. 

The report suggests that the PCB wants to provide more opportunities for the national team to get strong preparation before the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which India and Sri Lanka will jointly host in February-March 2026. 

Meanwhile, the CWI is reportedly desperate to organise the home ODI series against Pakistan. The Caribbean board feels that the team can bring positive results in the home ODI series against Pakistan, which can significantly improve their present ICC ODI rankings.

CWI CEO Chris Dehring told Cricbuzz on this matter, "The schedule remains as it is, and we continue to engage with the PCB on the matter."

Why does the ODI series matter for West Indies?

South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia will jointly host the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 in late 2027. In the 14-team tournament, a total of 10 teams will directly qualify for the next ODI World Cup, where the Full Members hosts (South Africa and Zimbabwe) and the other top eight ICC ODI-ranked teams (as of March 31, 2027) will earn WC tickets directly. While West Indies' ODI rankings are jumping between 9 and 10 in recent times, and the 11th-ranked Zimbabwe have already secured their next ODI World Cup spot as the Full Member co-host, the 10th ranking will not be enough to earn the direct qualifying ticket for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027. So, understandably, the CWI is desperate to improve ODI rankings as soon as possible, and the board is confident enough about the potential success against Pakistan in the ODI series. 

The two-time ODI World Cup champions West Indies missed out on the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, as they failed to qualify in the 10-team tournament.