The England and Wales Cricket Board is preparing a major shift in its Test cricket strategy, with Pakistan emerging as a possible opponent for a rare five-match series in England. The plan forms part of the ECB’s broader push to host more long-form home series while reducing the length of some overseas tours. The changes could begin in the next cycle of the International Cricket Council World Test Championship. British media reports said the ECB has already discussed future five-Test series with South Africa and Pakistan. If approved, Pakistan would play a five-Test series in England for the first time in decades. England and Pakistan last contested a five-match Test series in England in 1992. The ECB’s new strategy comes as the ICC considers expanding the World Test Championship to all 12 Test-playing nations. Ireland and Zimbabwe could join a single WTC division under the proposal. One-off Tests may receive WTC status The ICC also plans to give one-off Test matches official WTC status. Current rules require at least a two-match series for championship points. The change could allow England to play its first Test match in Zimbabwe since the 1996-97 tour. The ECB strongly backs the idea of one-Test series. Officials believe smaller cricket nations would benefit from more opportunities to host major teams. At the same time, England wants to stage more commercially attractive home Test series. Internal ECB research found that Test cricket remains England’s most popular cricket format across all age groups. The board now wants to follow the model used by Australia and India. Both countries regularly host five-Test series against leading opponents. The ECB has already proposed a five-Test tour to South Africa in 2032. It also hopes to repeat the arrangement in 2036. Pakistan could become the alternative if talks with South Africa fail. Shorter overseas tours under discussion While England wants larger home Test series, the ECB accepts that lengthy overseas tours struggle financially in several markets. Future tours to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh may shrink to a single Test match. England would then play additional white-ball games during those tours. Broadcasters and sponsors generate stronger revenue from limited-overs cricket in those countries. Under the ICC working group’s proposed WTC format, each of the 12 teams would play 12 Test matches against at least eight opponents during a two-year cycle. The top two teams would meet in the WTC final every two years at Lord’s Cricket Ground. The venue will host the final until 2031. The proposed format would not force every nation to face all other teams. That flexibility would give cricket boards greater control over scheduling and commercial planning. The ICC board is expected to discuss the proposals later this month. Officials delayed one earlier meeting because of tensions in the Middle East, where the ICC operates from Dubai. Although the next Future Tours Programme runs from 2027 to 2031, the ECB wants to finalize much of England’s schedule through 2036. Officials believe long-term planning will strengthen future broadcast negotiations and improve financial stability.