New Delhi: Pakistan will not participate in the ICC Women’s World Cup opening ceremony scheduled to be held in Guwahati on September 30. The grand event will precede the tournament opener between India and Sri Lanka, who are co-hosting the competition. Indian singer Shreya Ghoshal is set to perform at the ceremony.
According to sources cited by Geo News, neither Pakistan captain Fatima Sana nor any representatives from Pakistan will travel to India for the opening ceremony. Pakistan’s absence appears linked to a recently adopted policy by both India and Pakistan during the buildup to the Champions Trophy, wherein the two nations agreed not to cross borders to compete against each other at ICC tournaments for the next three years.
Due to ongoing strained political relations, India has not toured Pakistan since 2008. Earlier this year, Pakistan hosted the Champions Trophy, but India refused to cross the border to participate because of the geopolitical situation between the two neighbours.
Consequently, Pakistan will play all of its World Cup fixtures at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Their campaign will begin against Bangladesh on October 2, with India and Pakistan scheduled to face off on October 5. Should Pakistan advance, Colombo will also host the semifinals and final later in October and November.
Pakistan secured their berth in the tournament by remaining unbeaten in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup Qualifiers, winning all five matches hosted on home soil.
Pakistan’s squad for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 includes captain Fatima Sana, vice-captain Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Sidra Nawaz, and others. Non-travelling reserves include Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, and Waheeda Akhtar.
With inputs from ANI
