### Pakistan to Compete in Women's World Cup Matches in Colombo Amidst Political Tensions The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup will take place from September 30 to November 2, with matches hosted across five venues in India and Sri Lanka. Notably, Pakistan will play all its matches in Colombo, Sri Lanka, due to ongoing political tensions with India, which has prevented bilateral series between the two nations since 2013. This arrangement marks a significant shift in the tournament's hosting structure, as Colombo has been added as a neutral venue to accommodate these sensitivities [https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/women-s-odi-world-cup-at-four-indian-venues-and-colombo-1488759][https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/pakistan-play-colombo-when-india-hosts-womens-world-cup-5163116]. ### Structure of the Women's World Cup 2025 Announcement 1. **Tournament Overview** - The Women's ODI World Cup will feature eight teams competing from September 30 to November 2, 2025. - Matches will be held in five venues: Bengaluru, Guwahati, Indore, Visakhapatnam (all in India), and Colombo (Sri Lanka) [https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/icc-womens-50-over-world-cup-to-begin-from-september-30-colombo-added-as-neutral-venue/article69649517.ece]. 2. **Pakistan's Match Location** - All of Pakistan's matches will be played in Colombo, a decision made to address the political climate between India and Pakistan [https://www.dawn.com/news/1915005/pakistan-to-play-matches-in-sri-lanka-as-icc-announces-dates-venues-for-2025-womens-world-cup]. - The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo will host these matches, with the possibility of hosting the final if Pakistan advances to the knockout stages [https://www.yardbarker.com/cricket/articles/womens_cricket_world_cup_2025_dates_venues_and_major_clashes_set/s1_17433_42275193]. 3. **Political Context** - The decision to include Colombo as a neutral venue stems from the long-standing political tensions between India and Pakistan, which have affected their cricketing relations [https://www.business-standard.com/cricket/news/icc-women-s-odi-world-cup-2025-venues-dates-live-streaming-telecast-125060201108_1.html]. - This hybrid hosting model reflects a broader strategy to ensure the participation of all teams while navigating complex geopolitical issues [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3444451-cricket-pakistan-to-play-in-colombo-when-india-hosts-womens-world-cup]. ### Key Data Points and Evidence - **Tournament Dates**: September 30 to November 2, 2025. - **Venues**: - India: Bengaluru, Guwahati, Indore, Visakhapatnam - Sri Lanka: Colombo - **Teams**: Eight top international women's cricket teams will compete [https://www.india.com/sports/icc-announce-venues-for-womens-odi-world-cup-2025-india-are-hosts-but-7857283]. ### Conclusion: A Unique Hosting Arrangement for Women's Cricket In summary, the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup will be a landmark event, showcasing women's cricket across India and Sri Lanka. The decision to have Pakistan play its matches in Colombo highlights the complexities of international sports in the context of political relations. 1. **Tournament Structure**: The event will span over a month, featuring matches in both India and Sri Lanka. 2. **Neutral Venue for Pakistan**: Colombo's inclusion as a neutral venue is a strategic move to facilitate Pakistan's participation. 3. **Political Sensitivity**: The arrangement underscores the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan, influencing cricketing decisions. This unique setup aims to ensure a successful tournament while navigating the intricate dynamics of international relations in sports [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3444300-icc-womens-odi-world-cup-to-kick-off-on-september-30-five-venues-selected-for-eight-team-tournament].