The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially unveiled the much-anticipated Future Tours Programme (FTP) for women’s international cricket, outlining the schedule from 2025 to 2029. This new cycle will determine the lineup for the 2029 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, with a major expansion of teams.
Expansion and inclusion of Zimbabwe:
The upcoming FTP will see the Women’s Championship grow from 10 to 11 teams, with Zimbabwe making its historic debut. This marks an important milestone in increasing global representation in women’s cricket. Zimbabwe will join South Africa, West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Ireland as host nations, while also traveling to India, New Zealand, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
Competition Format and Key Highlights:
As in previous editions, teams will play eight other teams, with four home and four away series. Over 44 series, 132 ODIs will be played, each series comprising three matches. The new schedule promises to deliver more international women’s cricket across all formats, with over 400 matches set to take place, offering a platform for players to showcase their talent.
Also Read: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: Team of the Tournament Announced
Annual ICC Women’s Tournaments:
The 2025-2029 FTP cycle will feature an ICC Women’s event every year, starting with the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2025. Following that, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be held in 2026, the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in 2027, and another T20 World Cup in 2028.
Tri-Series and Test Match Scheduling:
Ahead of major ICC events, teams will engage in tri-series tournaments. For example, before the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, England will host India and New Zealand for a T20I series, and Ireland will host Pakistan and the West Indies. Sri Lanka and the West Indies will also hold triseries in 2027 and 2028, respectively.
Additionally, the FTP will include a more robust number of Test matches. Australia, England, India, South Africa, and the West Indies will feature in multi-format series, combining ODIs, T20Is, and Tests. Australia leads the way, scheduling two series each against England, India, and South Africa, and one against the West Indies.
With more cricket for women than ever before, this new FTP ensures an exciting future for international women’s cricket, creating numerous opportunities for players and fans alike.
Upcoming Bilateral Series Fixtures for Top Teams
- Australia will host series against England, New Zealand, Bangladesh, and Ireland while traveling to face India, South Africa, West Indies, and Sri Lanka.
- Bangladesh is set to play at home against South Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe, and Sri Lanka and will travel for challenging away games against England, India, Australia, and Pakistan.
- England will play host to New Zealand, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Ireland, while heading abroad to compete with India, Australia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
- India has an exciting home schedule with series against England, Australia, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Their away tours include games against West Indies, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Pakistan.
- Ireland will welcome India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and West Indies on home soil, while traveling to play England, Australia, Zimbabwe, and Sri Lanka.
- New Zealand will host India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Sri Lanka and embark on away series against England, Australia, Pakistan, and Ireland.
- Pakistan will host West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe, and will travel for series against Sri Lanka, England, New Zealand, and Australia.
- South Africa has home fixtures lined up with India, Australia, West Indies, and Ireland, and will play away matches against New Zealand, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, and England.
- Sri Lanka will play at home against England, West Indies, Ireland, and New Zealand, while heading abroad to face Bangladesh, India, Zimbabwe, and Australia.
- West Indies will host India, Australia, Pakistan, and South Africa, and their away tours will include New Zealand, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, and Ireland.
- Zimbabwe has home series scheduled with South Africa, West Indies, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Ireland and will play away against India, New Zealand, Australia, and Pakistan.
