The Women's World Cup is to be hosted by India later this year, in September and October. This tournament will include 8 teams: India, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The first 6 teams qualified for the World Cup based on team rankings. Pakistan and Bangladesh qualified for the World Cup by playing the World Cup Qualifiers hosted by Pakistan.
In January this year, the ICC made an agreement that India and Pakistan would play at a neutral venue if either country hosts the ICC event. India's men's team played the Champions Trophy hosted by Pakistan at a neutral venue (Dubai). This decision was made by taking into consideration the security and political concerns between the two nations. ICC chairman Jay Shah made this decision after he became the Chairman of the ICC.
So, according to this agreement, India will not visit Pakistan and Pakistan will not visit India for any ICC event till the year 2027. This decision ensures a better understanding between the two nations. Recently, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that Pakistan's women's team will not travel to India for the World Cup, they are ready to play in a hybrid model and are ok with whichever venue ICC allocates them.
Naqvi said, Just like India didn't play in Pakistan in the Champions Trophy and were allowed to play at a neutral venue, whatever venue is decided, we will play.
Now the decision remains in the hands of the ICC and the BCCI regarding this matter.
Pakistan is currently happy as their women's team performed well in the qualifiers in their home ground, winning all 5 matches they played. Naqvi said that it was a great dominance of the Pakistan team in their own backyard. They also announced special rewards for the team for their exceptional performance.
Public Reaction:
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Indifference from Some Indian Fan: Many fans feels that the tournament can be successful without Pakistan and it will have no affect on the viewership and competitiveness.
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Frustration Among Pakistani Fans: Pakistani supporters are disappointed about missing a chance to compete in India.
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Criticism of Political Influence: Fans and former players on both sides criticize political interference in sports. They argue that cricket should act as a unifier, not be impacted by tensions.
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Support for the Hybrid Model: Some believe the ICC's neutral venue decision is practical to avoid a total boycott.
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Former Cricketers Speak Out: In Pakistan, legends like Misbah and Miandad called the situation “unfair” and “politically motivated.” Some Indian voices agree cricket diplomacy should resume to mend relations.
The 2025 ICC Women's World Cup is set to be a landmark tournament, but the India-Pakistan dynamic continues to stir debate beyond the pitch. With Pakistan’s decision to opt for neutral venues due to political tensions, the tournament will see cricket diplomacy take center stage once again. While some fans and former players express disappointment, the hybrid model ensures participation without compromising safety or sentiment. As the cricketing world awaits final word from the ICC and BCCI, one thing remains clear — the spirit of the game must prevail, even in the face of political complexities.
About the Author
Advait Kadam is a sports writer at Vygr Media, specializing in cricket coverage and match analysis. With a background in Sports Management and a passion for storytelling, he brings sharp insights and fresh perspectives to every game.
Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Vygr’s views.
With inputs from agencies
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