Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed that the pre-agreed hybrid model between the PCB and the BCCI will be followed for the upcoming Women’s World Cup in India later this year.
India was set to host the Women’s ODI World Cup this year, with Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh and England as other participants at home. Pakistan’s qualification following their unbeaten World Cup Qualifier campaign means a neutral venue will now be in the play as well. The neutral venue agreement between Pakistan and India was established before the 2025 Champions Trophy and dictates that both teams will not travel to either country, even for ICC tournaments, for both men and women, until at least 2027.
There were growing rumors that the PCB might allow the women’s team to forgo this agreement, but Mohsin Naqvi has poured cold water on any such news. Speaking to the media after Pakistan’s last game against Bangladesh, Naqvi stated:
“We’re ready to play the ICC Women’s World Cup anywhere except India. It’s an agreement, and we’ll fulfill it.”
He clarified that the decision regarding the actual venue remains with the hosts.
“However, as hosts, India will decide the venue for our matches,” he added.
Fatima Sana’s team will now head to a neutral venue for the Women’s ODI World Cup, the same luxury that the PCB afforded to Rohit Sharma’s team during the Champions Trophy.
The PCB’s decision to stick to its guns bodes well for Pakistan cricket. With women’s cricket gaining more visibility and structure in Pakistan in recent years, the team’s participation in a global event like the World Cup is seen as an important step forward—regardless of where the matches are played.
