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India-Pakistan Cricket Tensions Force Neutral World Cup Venue for Women
Pakistan's women's cricket team, affectionately known as the 'Women in Green,' made their international debut in 1997. Despite early challenges, they've grown to become regular participants in major ICC tournaments.
Recently, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that the team won't tour India for the 2025 ICC Women's ODI World Cup, mirroring a similar stance taken by India earlier. Instead, Pakistan's matches will be hosted at a neutral venue, following the hybrid model previously agreed upon by both countries.
PCB Chief Confirms Neutral Venue, Cites Precedent
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi testified that Pakistan will host its matches at a neutral venue, a reversal of its own stand and in line with India's refusal to play in Pakistan.
The ICC, in consultation with India, will decide the neutral venue for Pakistan's fixtures. When Pakistan recently hosted the ICC Champions Trophy, the BCCI refused to take the Indian team across the border because of diplomatic tensions between the two countries, and their matches were conducted in Dubai.
There was a model of a hybrid agreed upon where both India and Pakistan would be able to host their matches at neutral venues if either of the two countries were to host an ICC event.
The PCB chief further stated that India and the ICC, as hosts, would decide on the neutral venue. Naqvi was also content with the dominating way the Pakistan women's team has qualified for the World Cup.
U-Turn: Pakistan to Play Champions Trophy Away from Home
Basking in the strong qualifier performance in Pakistan, the country's women's cricket team qualified for the World Cup. They swept aside Ireland, Scotland, England, the West Indies, Thailand, and Bangladesh, displaying the blend of playing as a team and exploiting home conditions.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was overjoyed at the team's comprehensive qualification and the resurgent spirit of women's cricket in the country. They now accompany hosts India, England, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Sri Lanka into the main round.
Conclusion
In a move in return reflecting India's, Pakistan will host its 2025 Women's ODI World Cup games at a neutral site, as affirmed by the PCB. The move, underpinned by an existing hybrid deal, comes in the wake of India's refusal to tour Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, illustrating how geopolitical tensions influence cricket calendar scheduling.