Cricket's Greatest Rivalry: India vs Pakistan Set for ICC Women's World Cups

 India, June 18, 2025 – Despite recent geopolitical tensions, cricket's most anticipated rivalry, India versus Pakistan, is officially confirmed for both the upcoming ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 and the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. The International Cricket Council (ICC) today unveiled the full schedules for both tournaments, ensuring fans will witness the marquee clashes on neutral grounds.

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 (ODI):

The 50-over Women's Cricket World Cup, hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will feature the India-Pakistan clash on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The tournament itself kicks off on September 30th with hosts India taking on Sri Lanka in Bengaluru. A hybrid model has been adopted for the 2025 ODI World Cup, largely due to the political tensions between India and Pakistan. This means while India is a primary host, all of Pakistan's matches, including any potential semi-finals or the final if they qualify, will be played in Sri Lanka.

The decision to ensure the matches take place at neutral venues stems from an ICC-brokered deal in December 2024, designed to navigate the long-standing political issues that prevent bilateral cricket between the two nations. BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla confirmed that while India avoids bilateral series with Pakistan due to government stance, matches at ICC events are played "due to the ICC's engagement."

ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026:

The high-stakes rivalry will continue in the shortest format as well. India and Pakistan are set to face each other in the group stage of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

The 10th edition of the Women's T20 World Cup will be hosted across seven venues in England and Wales from June 12 to July 5, 2026. This expanded tournament will feature 12 teams, divided into two groups, with the final to be held at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in London.

The confirmation of these highly anticipated matches comes just months after a period of intense military escalation between India and Pakistan. The cricketing world had speculated whether the political climate would prevent these encounters, but the ICC's arrangements have ensured that this fierce rivalry will continue to be a highlight of global tournaments. The last meeting between the two teams in an ICC Women's T20 World Cup was on October 6, 2024, in Dubai, where India secured a six-wicket victory.