Pakistan to play in Sri Lanka at India-hosted Women's World Cup

Pakistan’s women’s cricket team will compete in the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka, bypassing host nation India, under a neutral venue arrangement by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The decision stems from ongoing tensions, as India declined to travel to Pakistan for the men’s Champions Trophy earlier this year, prompting the ICC to designate neutral venues for tournaments hosted by either country.

The move follows a recent four-day military clash between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, their most intense conflict since 1999, which ended with a ceasefire. The ICC announced Monday that Colombo, Sri Lanka, will serve as Pakistan’s base for seven group-stage matches in the 50-over tournament, running from September 30 to November 2. Other matches will be held in Indian cities Bengaluru, Guwahati, Indore, and Visakhapatnam.

If Pakistan advances to the semi-finals, one will be held in either Guwahati or Colombo on October 29, with the second semi-final in Bengaluru on October 30. The final, set for November 2, will take place in either Bengaluru or Colombo, depending on Pakistan’s qualification. The ICC clarified that alternative venues for one semi-final and the final have been designated in case Pakistan progresses.

Eight teams—Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, and Sri Lanka—will compete in the tournament. Australia, the defending champions, won the 2022 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, defeating England by 71 runs in the final.