No Pakistan presence at Guwahati curtain-raiser
In a significant development ahead of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, Pakistan’s women’s team will not be present at the tournament’s opening ceremony in India. The event is scheduled for September 30 in Guwahati and will feature a performance by Indian playback star Shreya Ghoshal, just before the opening match between co-hosts India and Sri Lanka.
According to a report by Geo Super, neither Pakistan’s captain Fatima Sana nor any official team representative will attend the ceremony.
Cross-border policy restricts team movement
This decision aligns with a broader policy agreement between India and Pakistan, which has seen both nations mutually agree not to cross borders for ICC tournaments over the next three years. The diplomatic freeze continues to shape how cricket is played between the two countries.
India has not toured Pakistan since 2008, and earlier this year, India opted out of the Champions Trophy hosted by Pakistan, citing geopolitical concerns. The impact of that policy now extends into the women’s game.
Pakistan’s base set in Sri Lanka
As part of the arrangement, Pakistan’s women’s team will base itself in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for the duration of the tournament. All of their World Cup fixtures are scheduled at the R Premadasa Stadium.
Pakistan opens its campaign against Bangladesh on October 2 and is set to play arch-rivals India on October 5 — but on neutral soil. If the team qualifies for the semi-finals and final, both knockout matches will also be held at the same venue on October 29 and November 2 respectively.
World Cup spot secured with dominant qualifier performance
Pakistan qualified for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 in dominant fashion, winning all five of their matches while hosting the ODI World Cup Qualifier tournament earlier this year. That unbeaten run ensured their place in this year’s main event.
Squad for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025
The team will be led by Fatima Sana, with Muneeba Ali Siddiqui serving as vice-captain. The full squad includes:
Fatima Sana (c), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vc), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicket-keeper), Syeda Aroob Shah.
Non-travelling reserves: Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar
