Pakistan has officially secured its place in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, set to be hosted by India later this year. The qualification, achieved through an unbeaten run in the World Cup qualifiers, has introduced significant logistical challenges for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) due to the ongoing political tensions between the two nations.
As per the hybrid model agreed upon by the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) during the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year, Pakistan’s matches will not be held in India. Instead, they will be played at neutral venues, with locations such as Sri Lanka or the UAE under consideration. This arrangement ensures that the tournament will not be entirely hosted within India, complicating the management and scheduling of matches.
The hybrid model agreement was established to address the longstanding diplomatic standoff, which has prevented bilateral cricketing ties between the two nations. While India earned automatic qualification as the host nation, Pakistan’s qualification has reignited discussions about the complexities of hosting ICC events involving both countries.
The Women’s ODI World Cup is scheduled to take place from September 29 to October 26, with venues in India including Indore, Raipur, Thiruvananthapuram, Visakhapatnam, and Mullanpur. However, matches involving Pakistan will be relocated to neutral venues, adding to the logistical burden on the BCCI.
This development underscores the broader challenges of navigating geopolitical tensions in international sports, as cricket continues to serve as both a unifying and divisive force in the region. The tournament’s success will depend on the effective coordination between the ICC, BCCI, and PCB to ensure a seamless experience for players and fans alike.
