The Pakistan women’s cricket team is expected to press for Dubai as their preferred neutral venue for the upcoming ICC Women’s ODI World Cup later this year.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi reaffirmed on Saturday that the women’s team will not travel to India, in line with the “Fusion Formula” agreed earlier this year during discussions around the men's Champions Trophy.
“As per the arrangements agreed before the Champions Trophy, our women’s team will also not tour India, and the choice of neutral venue lies with the hosts, India,” Naqvi said.
Under the Fusion Formula, India and Pakistan will not travel to each other’s countries for ICC events until the current tournament cycle concludes in 2027. Instead, the teams will compete at neutral venues, reflecting the ongoing political tensions that have also halted bilateral series between the two nations.
India themselves played their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai earlier this year, going on to win the tournament unbeaten.
The Pakistan women’s team would love to play in Dubai, given their experience in the UAE, which served as Pakistan’s de facto home ground during their isolation period between 2010 and 2020.
While the PCB selected Dubai for the men’s Champions Trophy due to its proximity and familiarity, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may propose Sri Lanka instead, citing accessibility as a key factor.
Under head coach Mohammad Wasim, who worked tirelessly despite an eight-month delay in contract finalisation, the Pakistan women’s team showed marked improvement. They secured qualification for the World Cup with five consecutive wins, including impressive victories over West Indies and Bangladesh.
Historically, Pakistan women struggled to qualify for the early editions of the Women’s ODI World Cup. They failed to reach the first five tournaments, and when they finally did, they finished 11th and last. They again missed the next two editions before achieving their best result in 2009 in Australia, finishing fifth after a strong Super Six showing that included a win over the West Indies.
However, in each of the last three World Cups, Pakistan finished last — eighth in the final standings. With momentum on their side, and a potential return to familiar conditions in Dubai, the team will hope for a stronger showing this time around.
