### Pakistan to Compete in Women's World Cup Matches in Colombo Amid Political Tensions The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that Pakistan will play all its matches in Colombo, Sri Lanka, during the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup, which India is set to host from September 30 to November 2. This decision comes in light of the ongoing political estrangement between India and Pakistan, which has prevented the two nations from playing bilateral series since 2013. The tournament will feature matches across five venues, with Colombo added as a neutral site to accommodate these political sensitivities [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/562897/pakistan-to-play-in-colombo-when-india-hosts-women-s-world-cup][https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/cricket/news/pakistan-play-sri-lanka-india-hosted-womens-world-cup-3910036]. ### Overview of the Women's ODI World Cup Structure and Venue Allocation 1. **Tournament Dates and Structure**: - The Women's ODI World Cup will take place 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://newstodaynet.com/2025/06/03/icc-womens-50-over-wc-to-begin-from-sept-30][https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/women-s-odi-world-cup-at-four-indian-venues-and-colombo-1488759]. 2. **Pakistan's Match Location**: - All of Pakistan's matches will be played in **Colombo**, with the R. Premadasa Stadium designated as the venue [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/pakistan-play-colombo-when-india-hosts-womens-world-cup-5163116][https://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/cricket/icc-confirms-dates-and-venues-for-womens-world-cup-in-india-pakistan-to-play-matches-in-colombo-2025-06-02-992976]. 3. **Political Context**: - The decision to host Pakistan's matches in Sri Lanka is a response to the **political tensions** between India and Pakistan, which have necessitated a neutral venue for matches involving Pakistan [https://www.business-standard.com/cricket/news/icc-women-s-odi-world-cup-2025-venues-dates-live-streaming-telecast-125060201108_1.html][https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3444451-cricket-pakistan-to-play-in-colombo-when-india-hosts-womens-world-cup]. ### Key Data Points and Tournament Insights - **Tournament Duration**: September 30 - November 2, 2025. - **Participating Teams**: Eight top teams from around the world will compete. - **Venues**: - **India**: Bengaluru, Guwahati, Indore, Visakhapatnam. - **Sri Lanka**: Colombo (neutral venue for Pakistan) [https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/women-s-odi-world-cup-at-four-indian-venues-and-colombo-1488759][https://www.latestly.com/agency-news/sports-news-icc-womens-odi-world-cup-to-kick-off-on-september-30-five-venues-selected-for-eight-team-tournament-6900449.html]. ### Conclusion: Implications of the ICC's Decision The ICC's decision to host Pakistan's matches in Colombo reflects a strategic approach to managing political sensitivities while promoting international cricket. This arrangement allows for the participation of all teams in the Women's ODI World Cup without compromising the integrity of the tournament. 1. **Political Sensitivity**: The choice of Colombo as a neutral venue underscores the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, which have historically affected sporting events [https://www.indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/icc-womens-world-cup-dates-venue-timing-india-pakistan-sri-lanka-neutral-10043950]. 2. **Tournament Logistics**: The hybrid hosting model aims to ensure that all teams can compete fairly while navigating complex political landscapes [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3444264-icc-womens-50-over-wc-to-begin-from-september-30-colombo-added-as-neutral-venue]. 3. **Future of Women's Cricket**: This tournament marks a significant moment for women's cricket, returning to India after 12 years and highlighting the growing importance of the women's game on the global stage [https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/women-s-odi-world-cup-at-four-indian-venues-and-colombo-1488759].