Today's Edition
Kuumar Shyam (Abu Dhabi)
The Pakistan women’s cricket team may follow their men’s path and could be headed to Dubai as their neutral ground for the upcoming ICC Women’s ODI World Cup later this year. A senior official from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has indicated their preference, with the players having enjoyed playing in Dubai in the past.
The speculation has begun after PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi categorically stated that the women’s team will not tour India for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 as per the “fusion formula”, according to which, India will not travel to Pakistan and vice versa for games in ICC tournaments scheduled for the next three years. This arrangement was accepted ahead of the Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 which was hosted by Pakistan earlier this year.
“As per the arrangement before the Champions Trophy, our women’s team will also not tour India, and the choice of the neutral venue is with the hosts India,” Naqvi had said.
The status quo is due to political tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
“The Pakistan women’s team would love to play their matches in Dubai as they have more experience of playing in the UAE, which had been Pakistan’s venue during their isolation period between 2010-2020,” a senior PCB official was quoted saying to www.telecomasia.net.
While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has opted for Dubai as the neutral venue due to its proximity in the past, as well as a large expatriate population base in the UAE, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could even opt for Sri Lanka due to accessibility and lower costs of outsourcing the venue. The choice, as Naqvi conceded, is the prerogative of India as the hosts.
Bangladesh became the second team to qualify, ending the hopes of Ireland, Scotland, the West Indies and Thailand. India (hosts), England, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka have already qualified for the tournament, which will run from September 26 to November 2.
Pakistan did not qualify for the first five editions of the Women’s ODI World Cup. When they competed for the first time, they finished 11th and last. They again failed to qualify for the next two editions.
Meanwhile, Pakistan women’s team have showed phenomenal improvement under head coach Mohammad Waseem who worked hard despite not getting his contract finalised for eight months.
They won all five games, beating the more formidable West Indies and Bangladesh on their way to the qualification.
