The highly anticipated Women's ODI World Cup 2025 is set to commence on September 30, with India and Sri Lanka jointly hosting the tournament. As part of the schedule, the Indian women's cricket team is slated to face off against Pakistan on October 5 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
This match holds immense significance, not only due to the intense rivalry between the two nations but also because it will be held at a neutral venue. The decision to play all of Pakistan's matches in Colombo is a result of the hybrid agreement between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), considering the existing political tensions.
The Women's ODI World Cup 2025 will feature eight teams competing in a round-robin format, with each team playing the others once. The top four teams from the group stage will then advance to the semi-finals. India, as the host nation, along with Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka, gained direct qualification for the tournament. Pakistan and Bangladesh secured their places through the Women's World Cup Qualifiers held in Lahore earlier this year.
The tournament will be held across five venues: Bengaluru, Indore, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, and Colombo. India will play its opening match against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru on September 30. Defending champions Australia will begin their campaign on October 1 against New Zealand in Indore.
The first semi-final is scheduled for October 29 and will be held in either Guwahati or Colombo, depending on whether Pakistan qualifies for the knockout stages. The second semi-final will take place in Bengaluru on October 30. The final is set for November 2 and will be hosted in either Bengaluru or Colombo.
Other key fixtures in the tournament include Australia versus Pakistan on October 8 in Colombo, and England versus South Africa in Bengaluru on October 3. Pakistan's schedule includes matches against Bangladesh (October 2), England (October 15), New Zealand (October 18), South Africa (October 21), and Sri Lanka (October 24), all of which will be held in Colombo.
The Women's ODI World Cup 2025 marks the return of the tournament to India after 12 years, promising to be a thrilling event showcasing the best of women's cricket.
