Pakistan's men's cricket team will face England in a five-match ODI series next May, a schedule that positions both sides for preparation ahead of the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the fixture details on Thursday. Main Developments The series opens on May 15, 2027, in Southampton and concludes on May 26 in Cardiff. Manchester will host the second ODI on May 19, Leeds the third on May 21, and Chester-le-Street the fourth on May 23. Pakistan are currently touring the West Indies for a two-Test series. After that, they will travel to England for a three-Test series running from August 19 to September 13. Read also: Pakistan Sweeps Sri Lanka in CAVA Volleyball Championship Opener Background The last ODI series between the two sides on English soil took place in 2021, a three-match affair. Pakistan captain Babar Azam was the leading run-scorer in that series, accumulating 177 runs across three innings, including a knock of 158 in the final match. Pakistan currently sit fifth in the ICC ODI rankings, with England one spot behind at seventh. The upcoming five-match series marks a return to a longer bilateral format for these teams. Why It Matters The series offers both Pakistan and England a crucial preparatory window for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, scheduled for October and November in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Extended bilateral series allow teams to test squad depth and build momentum before a global tournament. For Pakistan, the tour also includes a Test series later in the summer, making the entire England trip a significant block of international cricket that could shape the team's long-term strategy. What's Next Pakistan will complete their current Test series in the West Indies before shifting focus to the England tour. The five ODIs will be followed by the three-Test series, though exact dates for the Test matches beyond the August-September window have not been detailed. Both cricket boards are expected to announce further squad selections and match timings closer to the tour.