After reaching an agreement of two cricket boards last year, the All India vs Pakistan match will be played in the neutral site by 2029.
Pakistan Women’s cricket team opener Gull Feroza has clearly stated that the squad is not keen on playing in India for the upcoming ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, despite having recently secured qualification. The tournament, scheduled to be hosted by India later this year, is now facing logistical challenges with Pakistan almost certain to play all their matches at a neutral venue.
Pakistan doesn’t want to play in India?
Speaking after Pakistan’s dominant run in the Qualifiers, Feroza expressed that the team has mentally moved on from the idea of playing in India altogether. “We know this much — we will play in Asian conditions, and we are not playing in India. This is clear. Neither are we interested in playing in India,” she told PakPassion.
The team, she added, is focused on preparation tailored to likely venues such as Sri Lanka or Dubai. “Wherever it is played – hopefully in Sri Lanka or Dubai – those conditions are similar to the ones you get in Asia. So, our preparation will be according to that,” Feroza said.
Women’s ODI World Cup 2025: Always a hybrid tournament
Pakistan’s refusal to play in India for the upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup isn’t a surprise. It’s just another chapter in the long-standing standoff between the two cricketing boards. The ICC had already laid the groundwork for such situations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, approving a hybrid hosting model that runs through 2027.
Under this setup, India and Pakistan will not be required to travel to each other’s countries for any ICC tournaments — a compromise born out of necessity more than choice. The model came into play during the Champions Trophy qualifiers earlier this year, when India opted out of travelling to Pakistan. Their games were instead held in Dubai. With that precedent set, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi made it clear that Pakistan would follow suit for the Women’s World Cup.
Pakistan stormed through the World Cup Qualifiers with five wins in five games — including a commanding 87-run victory over Thailand — to punch their ticket to the main event.
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