Bilateral ODI Series: Their Role in Cricket's Calendar and Why They Are Declining
Bilateral ODI series (two nations playing 3-5 ODIs against each other) have historically been cricket's main revenue vehicle alongside Test cricket. The rise of franchise T20 leagues and the ICC's condensed schedule has reduced the number of bilateral ODIs played globally. This guide covers how bilateral ODI series work, their place in the ICC Future Tours Programme, and why their importance is changing.
A bilateral ODI series is a sequence of ODI matches between two specific nations — typically 3, 5, or 7 matches played across 2-3 weeks. The series winner is determined by match count (first to 2 wins in a 3-match series, first to 3 wins in a 5-match series). Unlike the ICC World Cup (where all Full Member nations compete), bilateral series are arranged directly between the two national cricket boards — the ICC's Future Tours Programme (FTP) coordinates the scheduling to prevent clashes and ensure all Full Members play each other regularly.
The Future Tours Programme
The ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP) is a rolling 4-year schedule that mandates minimum numbers of Tests, ODIs, and T20Is between all ICC Full Member nations. The FTP ensures that smaller cricketing nations (Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Ireland) play the larger nations regularly rather than only meeting them at ICC events. The current FTP cycle (2023-2027) includes specific bilateral series requirements. Boards negotiate their own scheduling — the BCCI specifically can decline or reschedule tours of India that other boards are commercially dependent on completing (India's home tours generate the most revenue for the host board).
Revenue and Commercial Importance
Bilateral ODI series revenue: a 5-match India home ODI series vs England or Australia generates the BCCI's second-highest revenue (after IPL season). A typical 5-match India ODI series produces $30-50M in broadcast rights, sponsorship, and gate receipts — shared between the hosting BCCI and the ICC in proportions defined by the FTP. The BCCI's home ODI series against Pakistan (when they played — last bilateral series was 2012-13) would be the highest-revenue bilateral cricket event in history; the absence of India-Pakistan bilateral cricket since 2012 represents an enormous annual revenue gap that the ICC and both boards have failed to bridge due to political tension.
ODI Championship Qualification
The ICC Men's ODI Cricket World Cup Super League (2020-2023): the ICC created the Super League to give bilateral ODIs a direct qualification function. The 13 Full Members and Netherlands played each other in 3-match series, accumulating points for a 2023 World Cup qualification table — the top 7 teams plus the host India qualified directly; the rest went to a playoff event. The Super League gave bilateral ODIs a competitive structure that made individual match results meaningful beyond series scoreline — team points depended on each match. The format was discontinued after 2023; the replacement qualification system for the 2027 World Cup is being determined.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Future Tours Programme in cricket?
The ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP) is a rolling 4-year international cricket schedule that coordinates when Full Member nations tour each other for Test series, ODI series, and T20I series. The FTP ensures all Full Members play each other regularly and prevents scheduling conflicts between nations. It is negotiated between the ICC and national cricket boards — the BCCI has historically had the most influence over FTP scheduling because India's home tours are the most commercially significant for touring nations. The FTP also defines minimum match numbers (e.g., each nation must play a minimum number of Tests per FTP cycle) to maintain Test cricket's health as a format.
Why do India and Pakistan not play bilateral cricket?
India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket (home-and-away series) since 2012-13 due to political tensions between the two countries — specifically, the Indian government and BCCI have not given clearance for bilateral cricket in the context of Indian-Pakistani geopolitical disputes (terrorism concerns, the Kashmir issue). They meet in ICC tournaments (World Cups, Champions Trophy, Asia Cup) where the ICC's neutrality provides political cover. The financial loss from no India-Pakistan bilateral series is estimated at $50-100M per year in unrealised revenue — the most economically significant bilateral series gap in cricket history.
How many ODIs are in a typical bilateral series?
Most bilateral ODI series consist of 3 matches (minimum), 5 matches (standard), or occasionally 7 matches (for marquee series). A 3-match series: first to 2 wins takes the series (the maximum result is 2-1; draws or no-results are possible). A 5-match series: first to 3 wins. A 7-match series (rare): first to 4 wins. Most FTP bilateral series are 3 or 5 matches. India vs England, India vs Australia, and some other high-profile series are often 5 matches; smaller nations pair for 3-match series. The series length is negotiated between the cricket boards based on available schedule windows.