In a major development ahead of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has firmly stated that the Pakistan women’s team will not travel to India to participate in the marquee tournament. His comments come amid escalating political tensions and ongoing concerns about bilateral cricketing ties between the two nations.
Naqvi made the statement during his visit to the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) Ground, where he met and congratulated the Pakistan women’s team for their outstanding performance in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier. The team, led by Fatima Sana, remained unbeaten in the tournament and sealed their place in the World Cup with a dominant 87-run win over Thailand, followed by a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh.
Speaking to reporters, Naqvi reaffirmed the board’s stance, citing the previously agreed-upon “Fusion Formula” that was implemented for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. This formula allows for matches involving India and Pakistan to be held at neutral venues to avoid travel between the two countries.
“Pakistan will not travel to India as this formula has already been agreed upon,” Naqvi stated.
When asked about the possible neutral venue where Pakistan’s matches could be held, Naqvi explained that it would be up to the tournament hosts and the ICC to determine the location, but reiterated that Pakistan’s women’s team would not travel to India under any circumstances.
Fusion Formula Continues to Shape Indo-Pak Cricket
The “Fusion Formula,” which allows for neutral venues in high-profile Indo-Pak clashes, has become a recurring theme in international cricket tournaments involving both nations. Earlier this year, a similar setup was proposed for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, set to be hosted in Pakistan, wherein India’s matches may be played in a third country due to political reluctance to send their team to Pakistan.
This decision by the PCB could pose logistical challenges for the ICC Women’s World Cup organizers, who now need to identify and prepare an alternate venue for Pakistan’s matches should they go ahead in India. While the final decision lies with the ICC, Naqvi’s comments have put the ball firmly in their court.
Unity and Reward: A Promising Side
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the venue, Naqvi was full of praise for the national women’s team’s performance in the qualifiers.
“When a team is gelled in and plays like a unit, it produces such results. They will definitely be rewarded. They deserve it,” Naqvi said.
Led by the promising Fatima Sana, the Pakistan women’s side showed consistency and resilience throughout the qualifiers, finishing the tournament unbeaten. Their performance was a testament to their growing potential and rising confidence in the international cricketing arena.
This new generation of players has already shown great promise, and the PCB chairman’s assurance of rewards and continued support could help lift the morale of the players amid geopolitical uncertainties.
Conclusion
The PCB’s decision to not send the women’s team to India for the ICC Women’s World Cup underscores the ongoing political and cricketing rift between the two countries. With the ICC yet to officially comment on the matter, all eyes are now on how the governing body will handle the scheduling and logistics.
Pakistan’s successful qualification and the bold stance by their cricket board highlight both the on-field progress of their women’s cricket team and the off-field complexities of organizing global cricket events in the current geopolitical climate.
Stay tuned for more updates on the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, venue developments, and all news surrounding Pakistan cricket.
