The unending rift between Indian and Pakistani cricket teams is now at an unprecedented level. Reports suggest that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will not send their senior women’s team to India ahead of the ODI World Cup 2025.
PCB Chair Confirms Pakistan Will Play Women’s ODI World Cup Games at Neutral Venues
PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi confirmed Pakistan’s schedule for the Women’s ODI WC 2025 will be at venues outside India:
“India and Pakistan matches hosted by either country at ICC Events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue,” the PCB chief said.
“Just like India didn’t play in Pakistan in the Champions Trophy and were allowed to play at a neutral venue, whatever venue is decided, we will play. When there is an agreement, it has to be adhered to,” he concluded.
Pakistan Announces Squad for Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier
The PCB shared a list of shortlisted players for the ICC Women Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifiers. Pakistan’s female side hope to put up a strong showing at the tournament, judging by their recent form.
The team has been on rampage in their last five (5) games this year, seeing off dark horses like Bangladesh Women and the West Indies Women. However, they lost their last 6 games before this run of results tipped in their favour:
Last 10 games of Pakistan Women ODI team (April 2024 – April 2025)
| Match Date | Team 1 | Team 2 | Winner | Margin | Ground |
| Apr 18, 2024 | PAK Women | WI Women | WI Women | 113 runs | Karachi |
| Apr 21, 2024 | PAK Women | WI Women | WI Women | 2 wickets | Karachi |
| Apr 23, 2024 | PAK Women | WI Women | WI Women | 88 runs | Karachi |
| May 23, 2024 | ENG Women | PAK Women | ENG Women | 37 runs | Derby |
| May 26, 2024 | ENG Women | PAK Women | no result | – | Taunton |
| May 29, 2024 | ENG Women | PAK Women | ENG Women | 178 runs | Chelmsford |
| Apr 9, 2025 | PAK Women | IRE Women | PAK Women | 38 runs | Lahore |
| Apr 11, 2025 | PAK Women | SCO Women | PAK Women | 6 wickets | Lahore |
| Apr 14, 2025 | PAK Women | WI Women | PAK Women | 65 runs | Lahore |
| Apr 17, 2025 | PAK Women | THA Women | PAK Women | 87 runs | Lahore |
| Apr 19, 2025 | PAK Women | BAN Women | PAK Women | 7 wickets | Lahore |
The team will hope to continue their great run of results throughout these qualifiers. Pakistan’s 15-woman lineup includes these players:
- Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali,
- Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim,
- Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah,
How many teams will take part in the ICC Women’s Cricket WC 2025 qualifiers?
Six (6) teams will be a part of the qualifiers for the ICC Women’s WC 2025. Pakistan, West Indies, Scotland, Ireland, Bangladesh, and Thailand will jostle for two (2) available slots for the Cricket World Cup.
Pakistan’s Fatima Sana Captains 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Team of the Tournament
Four (4) players from the Women in Green squad are in the ICC Women’s WC 2025 Qualifier Team of the Tournament. Fatima Sana, Sadia Iqbal, Muneeba Ali, and Nashra Sandhu are all part of the all-star team for this marquee women’s event.
Fatima Sana is the team’s captain and earns this recognition after a formidable run of form in recent games. Other players from the Pakistan Women side feature for their brilliant individual performances in the female ODI team.
Sadia Iqbal gets a place in this lineup as a direct result of her undeniable pace-bowling abilities. The talented star has bagged 9 wickets at a decent rate of 3.84 runs per over to announce her arrival on the biggest stage of female cricket.
Muneeba Ali’s half-century laden 223 runs against Bangladesh and Scotland ranks her as a top women’s ODI batter. Nashra Sandhu also features in this lineup after her remarkable bowling form fetched 10 wickets in recent games.
Other stars in the lineup include skilled batters, bowlers, and all-rounders from the West Indies, Pakistan, Scotland, and Bangladesh. See the full list below:
- Fatima Sana (Pakistan) Captain
- Aaliyah Alleyne (West Indies)
- Chinelle Henry (West Indies)
- Hayley Matthews (West Indies)
- Katherine Fraser (Scotland)
- Kathryn Bryce (Scotland)
- Muneeba Ali (Pakistan)
- Nashra Sandhu (Pakistan)
- Nigar Sultana (Bangladesh) Wicketkeeper
- Sadia Iqbal (Pakistan)
- Sharmin Akhter (Bangladesh)
Reserve Player: Rabeya Khan (Bangladesh)
Why Did No Team India Women Player Make the ICC 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Team?
The Women in Blue (India’s female national team) have been out of sorts in recent seasons. Failure to achieve on the regional and international front has hurt their chances at securing titles for the cricket-crazy fanbase back home.
However, this isn’t the reason why they have no player in the qualifiers’ lineup. India is set to host this tournament, and that right gives their team automatic qualification.
