In a recent development, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed that the Pakistan team won’t travel to India for the women’s ODI world cup 2025 that is going to take place in India in the month of September-October 2025. He insisted on playing at any neutral venue decided by the ICC just like India did in the Champions Trophy 2024.
While Pakistan was the host nation for the Champions Trophy 2024, BCCI denied to send their team to pakistan, owing to security threats and not getting clearance from the Government of India. After numerous brainstorming meetings between ICC and PCB, it was later agreed upon that India will play all their matches in Dubai.
This was a matter of some controversy as they ended up being the only team playing all their matches at one venue while the rest of the sides shuttled between Pakistan and the UAE whenever they played India. At one point, both South Africa and Australia had to travel to Dubai just before the semi-finals, with the former returning to Pakistan without playing a game there when it was decided that the latter would be facing India in the semi-finals.
The Women’s World Cup will be played from September 29 to October 26 2025 in India in which 8 teams will participate. Pakistan has qualified for this tournament. Pakistan did not get a direct entry, but it made it to the World Cup by winning all its matches in the qualifier tournament.
“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. When there is an agreement, it has to be adhered to,” Naqvi said, according to PTI.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi's media talk at LCCA Ground after the Pakistan vs Bangladesh ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier match. pic.twitter.com/1plEWOwcoW
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) April 19, 2025
Naqvi’s statement clearly showed that their action was in retaliation to the BCCI not sending their team for men’s champions trophy 2024 that was held in the month of February-March in Pakistan. According to the hybrid model, both India and Pakistan will play their matches at neutral venues if one of the two countries was to host an ICC event till 2027.
You can also read:
Vaibhav Suryavanshi becomes the youngest player ever in IPL history