Pakistan women’s cricket team won’t travel to India for ICC world cup, says PCB Chairman

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that Pakistan women’s cricket team will not travel to India for the next ICC Women’s World Cup. This comes after a deal between the India and Pakistan boards.

Naqvi informed journalists after meeting the team at Gaddafi Stadium, “India is the host, and they will decide where the matches are held.” He again made it clear that the team is ready to play at any neutral ground except India.

The move comes in the wake of continued tensions regarding bilateral cricket relations. India had earlier declined to visit Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and hosted its matches at a neutral ground, as was the case with the 2023 Asia Cup.

Both boards have agreed on a hybrid format, in which India will host Pakistan at neutral venues in ICC events staged in Pakistan and vice versa. The format applies to the 2025 Men’s Champions Trophy, the 2025 Women’s World Cup in India, and the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.

Naqvi complimented the women’s team on their collective performance and termed them worthy of rewards. He further added that the same improvement is anticipated from the Under-19 and Shaheens team as well.

In case of the men’s team, Naqvi confirmed that choices will be made shortly. He further added that Aqib Javed’s role as a coach is temporary, and matters would be assessed next week.

India Will Not Play Bilateral Cricket with Pakistan, BCCI Confirms

Following the ghastly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India’s Vice-President of BCCI Rajeev Shukla affirmed that India won’t play bilateral cricket series with Pakistan. He reaffirmed that India takes a cue from the government on not playing Pakistan in bilateral series.

Shukla explained that even though bilateral relations are put on hold, India plays against Pakistan in ICC events. He further stated that the ICC is also cognizant of the tensions.

The two sides last faced each other in a bilateral series in 2012-13. They have only played against each other since then in ICC and ACC events, such as the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai.

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia condemned the Pahalgam attack and sent condolences to the families of the victims. He said that the cricket fraternity stands with the victims in this moment of tragedy.

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