The ongoing freeze in Pakistan–India sporting ties has extended to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, with Pakistan confirming it will not attend the opening ceremony in India.
The curtain-raiser is scheduled for 30 September at the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium, ahead of the tournament opener between India and Sri Lanka. The event includes a captains’ press conference, trophy photoshoot, and formal team introductions.
However, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana and her squad will remain in Sri Lanka, where all of Pakistan’s matches are scheduled under the recently introduced “Fusion Formula.” The policy, agreed for the next three years, stipulates that India and Pakistan will not travel to each other’s soil for ICC events—even for ceremonial duties.
As per the arrangement, Pakistan will play its entire campaign at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium, including knockout fixtures should they qualify for the semifinal on 29 October or the final on 2 November.
The move comes as no surprise. Earlier, India’s captain Rohit Sharma was also barred from attending a captains’ event linked to the now-scrapped ICC Champions Trophy 2025, citing the same bilateral restrictions.
Despite missing the opening ceremony, Pakistan’s women’s team—who impressed during the qualifiers—will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on 2 October in Colombo. With strong recent performances, the Green Shirts are aiming to break new ground on the global stage and challenge the elite of women’s cricket.