Pakistan will not travel to India for 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup

Staff Report

LAHORE: PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reiterated that Pakistan would not be travelling to India for the women’s ODI World Cup later this year. Pakistan will play their matches at a neutral venue, following the hybrid model that was adopted by the two boards earlier this year. Naqvi said that the BCCI and the ICC would decide what the neutral venue will be. “Just like India didn’t play in Pakistan in the Champions Trophy and were allowed to play at a neutral venue [Dubai], whatever venue is decided, we will play [there],” Naqvi said. “When there is an agreement, it has to be adhered to.” According to the hybrid model, India and Pakistan are going to play their matches at neutral venues if one of the two countries were to host an ICC event – this is valid till 2027. India will host the women’s World Cup from September 29 to October 26, with Australia the defending champions. Pakistan hosted and won all their five matches in the recent women’s ODI World Cup Qualifiers. They beat Ireland, Scotland, West Indies, Thailand and Bangladesh and will join the ODI World Cup for which hosts India, England, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka had directly qualified based on their standings in the ICC Women’s Championship. Naqvi expressed satisfaction at the team’s progress and said that the PCB would announce a special reward for the women’s team for their performance. “The team showed how to take home advantage and play like a collective unit,” he said. “I am happy that women’s cricket is doing well now.”