Pakistan absence from ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 ceremony reflects continuing freeze with India

Hyderabad: Pakistan’s women’s cricket team has decided to skip the opening ceremony of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 in Guwahati. The move once again highlights the continuing freeze in bilateral cricket ties with India.

The ICC ratified a policy last year that bars India and Pakistan from playing in each other’s countries until 2027. The rule stems from long-standing political and security concerns. As a result, matches between the two sides take place only at neutral venues.

Pakistan matches in ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 shifted entirely to Colombo

Under this hybrid model, Pakistan will play all its World Cup fixtures in Sri Lanka. Their schedule includes games against Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and the hosts Sri Lanka.

Analysts say Pakistan’s absence from the ceremony reflects both the ICC’s ruling and the sensitivities in Indo-Pak relations. For India, the Guwahati ceremony with cultural performances will showcase its hosting role. For Pakistan, the choice underlines its commitment to a strict policy line for the next two years.