India, Pakistan Women’s World Cup Match Set for Colombo Amid Rivalry, Weather Concerns

The highly anticipated ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 group-stage match between India and Pakistan is set to take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, rather than in India, due to a pre-agreed arrangement between the ICC, BCCI, and PCB to avoid either team playing on the other's soil amid ongoing political tensions. This neutral venue policy follows similar arrangements made for the 2025 Men’s Champions Trophy and the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, reflecting strained relations between the countries. The series between the nations has been tense, with previous men's matches marked by a refusal to shake hands, and a "no handshake" policy remains possible for this women's fixture. Despite the political backdrop, both teams aim to focus on their cricket, with Pakistan’s captain emphasizing the importance of maintaining healthy relationships while concentrating on the tournament. The match follows contrasting opening performances, with India winning convincingly against Sri Lanka and Pakistan suffering a defeat to Bangladesh. Rain has already affected the tournament in Colombo, leading to the abandonment of the Australia vs Sri Lanka match, and there are concerns that weather could also impact the India vs Pakistan game.