The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly exploring the idea of organising a trilateral or quadrilateral series, involving traditional rivals India and Pakistan.

According to Pakistani media outlet ARY News, this strategic move is targeted for inclusion in the upcoming 2027-2031 Future Tours Programme (FTP) cycle.

The ICC has scheduled an international scheduling seminar in Dubai on September 22–23, where representatives of all 12 Test-playing nations and eight associate members will deliberate on the next cycle's calendar.

As conventional bilateral series see a decline in financial returns, the global governing body feels that multi-nation events can generate stronger commercial returns and revitalize broadcast and sponsorship value. A regular multi-nation setup involving the arch-rivals could bring in hundreds of millions in revenue.

The Indian government continues to rule out bilateral cricket series with Pakistan due to political and diplomatic tensions, permitting play only within multi-team tournament frameworks. This makes trilateral or quadrilateral workarounds a highly realistic option.

India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2013, while their last meeting in a triangular series came during the Kitplay Cup in June 2008, also featuring hosts Bangladesh.

If approved, any potential multi-nation series would be staged in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), England, or Australia as the BCCI and PCB have a pact to play each other only in neutral venues.

It remains to be seen how the BCCI reacts to such a proposal. The Indian board implemented a strict no-handshake protocol with the Pakistani squad members following the Pahalgam terror attack and retaliatory Operation Sindoor in 2025, a stance the men's and women's sides have maintained in every meeting on the cricket field.