England Cricket’s First ODI Tri-Series in a Decade Sparks Nostalgia

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 18, 2026

The England cricket team has returned to one-day international tri-series play for the first time since 2015, competing against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Pakistan this week as part of a longer-term strategy to engage more in multilateral ODI competitions. This move aligns with the ICC’s plan to increase such series between 2027 and 2031 and serves as crucial preparation for England’s build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup.

The England cricket team has returned to one-day international (ODI) tri-series competition for the first time in over a decade, beginning a campaign against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Pakistan this week. The tri-series, a format that once held significant appeal among cricket fans, marks England’s renewed engagement with multilateral ODI contests as part of a broader strategic shift in international cricket scheduling.

England’s last ODI tri-series occurred in the lead-up to the 2015 World Cup. Since then, the team has largely competed in bilateral series, a pattern that has drawn criticism amid declining broadcast revenues and a growing demand for context-rich competitions. The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently endorsed a plan to increase multilateral ODI series between 2027 and 2031, aiming to replace more conventional bilateral fixtures with more compelling formats.

The current tri-series pits England against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, two teams England hosted in the UK summer but now face under challenging foreign conditions. England’s opening match takes place Tuesday in Rawalpindi, with each side scheduled to play the others twice before the final in Lahore, set 13 days later. This series forms part of England’s year-long build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup.

England’s ODI performance has seen notable improvement under captain Harry Brook, with the team aiming to reach the next World Cup semi-final after winning their past three series. This turnaround follows a difficult period during which they lost seven of eight series played. Strong results have bolstered England’s planning and selection decisions ahead of the tri-series.

However, the squad will be without a few key players. Fast bowler Jofra Archer has been rested, while Jacob Bethell and Jos Buttler are sidelined due to injury. Bethell is expected to return for England’s upcoming tour of Australia next month, but Buttler is facing an extended absence following hamstring surgery.

The tri-series presents both opportunities and challenges as England seek to build form and cohesion ahead of major tournaments. Its structure is straightforward, with a round-robin phase culminating in a final, and is viewed as a step towards revitalizing the ODI format amid the evolving international cricket landscape.

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