Pak Women's WC ties in Colombo
Colombo's famous R Premadasa Cricket Stadium, acting as a neutral venue, is likely to host Pakistan's matches during the ICC Women's World Cup which is to be held in India in October this year. PHOTO: AFP
Pakistan will play all their women's 50-over World Cup matches in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo when India hosts this year's tournament, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Monday.
Politically-estranged India and Pakistan, who have not played a bilateral series since 2013, will play their matches in neutral venues when either country hosts an ICC event, the sport's global governing body announced in December.
"The venues for the knockouts are dependent on Pakistan qualifying as two alternative venues have been identified for one semi-final and the final," the ICC said.
"Colombo will be the venue for the first semi-final and the final only if Pakistan qualify for those stages." Bengaluru, where the tournament will start with India playing in the opening match, will host the final on November 2 if Pakistan are knocked out earlier in the tournament, the ICC added.
Bengaluru will also stage the second semi-final on October 30, a day after the first semi-final in Colombo or Guwahati. Visakhapatnam and Indore are the two other host cities for the eight-team tournament.
India played all their matches in Dubai when Pakistan hosted the men's Champions Trophy this year, including the final which they won.
Both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League were suspended last month amid clashes between the two countries following an attack targeting tourists that killed 26 people in Kashmir in April.
Matches resumed after a ceasefire was announced. The neutral venue arrangement between the countries will also be in place for the men's T20 World Cup in 2026, which India will co-host with Sri Lanka, and the women's T20 World Cup in 2028 in Pakistan. Reuters
Women's Emerging Asia Cup postponed
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has officially announced the postponement of the ACC Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2025, which was originally scheduled to begin on June 6 in Sri Lanka.
The decision follows a formal request from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Shammi Silva, who wrote to ACC President Mohsin Raza Naqvi, citing adverse weather conditions and growing health concerns stemming from a chikungunya outbreak in the region.
In a statement, ACC President Mohsin Naqvi reaffirmed the council's dedication to women's cricket.
"The ACC is committed to providing opportunities for young women cricketers to develop their skills and compete at the highest level," said Mr. Mohsin Raza Naqvi, President Asian Cricket Council.
"We understand the strategic significance of this tournament in shaping the future of women's cricket in Asia, and we will work diligently to reschedule the event at the earliest possible date," he added. The ACC emphasised that it remains focused on promoting women's cricket and nurturing emerging talent across the continent. New dates for the tournament will be announced in due course.
Meanwhile, speculation had been circulating in the media regarding India's possible withdrawal from ACC tournaments due to ongoing cross-border tensions. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has strongly refuted these claims.
Speaking to the Indian media, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia clarified the board's position regarding participation in ACC events, firmly denying any withdrawal rumors.
"There has been no discussion or decision to withdraw from any ACC event. Our current focus remains on the Indian Premier League and the upcoming England series for both the men's and women's teams."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Babar, Rizwan slip in ICC T20I rankings; Haris makes significant leap
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday released the latest T20I player rankings, revealing a significant reshuffle among Pakistani cricketers. Former captain Babar Azam has dropped three places to 12th, while wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has slipped one spot to 13th. Notably, no Pakistani player features in the top 10 of the current rankings. Australia's Travis Head leads the chart, followed by India's Abhishek Sharma and England's Phil Salt in second and third positions, respectively. Haris moves up, Shaheen slides in ICC T20I bowler's rankings Despite the decline of senior players, emerging talent Mohammad Haris has made a remarkable jump of 210 places, securing the 30th spot. Additionally, Hasan Nawaz has climbed 57 positions to reach 46th place. Other Pakistani players have also shown progress: Saim Ayub has moved up four spots to 61st, and captain Salman Ali Agha has advanced 42 places to 76th. The latest rankings highlight the evolving dynamics of Pakistan's T20I squad, with younger players making significant strides on the international stage.
Business Recorder
6 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Marsh back to skipper Australia in Windies T20s, Cummins and Starc rested
Mitchell Marsh will captain Australia in next month's Twenty20 series against West Indies while Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Travis Head have been rested from the 16-man squad, Cricket Australia said on Wednesday. All-rounder Marsh had missed Australia's last T20 series against Pakistan in November, with wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis leading the side in his absence. Batter Mitchell Owen, 23, has earned his first call-up to the squad after his fine season with Hobart Hurricanes, helping them to their first Big Bash League title by scoring the joint-fastest century in the tournament's history in the final. Glenn Maxwell, who retired from one-day internationals to focus on next year's T20 World Cup, has also been named in the squad but there was no place for batter Jake Fraser-McGurk or all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. 'We have a busy T20 schedule coming up through this series … as we continue to refine and build a squad we think will be the right fit for the World Cup on the subcontinent,' chair of selectors George Bailey said in a statement. 'There are a number of players outside the squad who can still force their way into the mix for those upcoming Indian Series and through the Big Bash. 'The connection, role development and combinations we will have as options are growing nicely as we build towards the World Cup.' Australia will play five T20s against the West Indies, with the opener taking place in Kingston on July 21. Squad Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.
Business Recorder
14 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Stead stands down as New Zealand coach after seven years
Gary Stead will stand down as Black Caps coach at the end of June, New Zealand Cricket said on Wednesday, bringing to an end a highly successful seven-year reign that included the capture of the inaugural World Test Championship title. The 53-year-old stood down as coach of the country's white ball teams in April and his desire to spend less time on tour ultimately did not marry with NZC's aspiration to have one coach across all formats. 'There's been some amazing memories over the past seven years based around a group of fantastic and talented people who have gone out to give their best for their country,' he said in a NZC statement. 'It's been nice to be competitive across all three formats and I'd like to think that regardless of results, the opposition know the Black Caps are a team that won't fold.' Stead said the World Test Championship triumph in 2021 and New Zealand's 3-0 sweep of India on the sub-continent last year were the highlights of his time in charge. New Zealand also finished as runners-up on boundary countback at the 2019 50-overs World Cup, runners-up at the 2021 Twenty20 World Cup as well as at the Champions Trophy earlier this year. The Black Caps topped the test and ODI rankings and reached the semi-finals at two other white-ball World Cups during his time in charge. 'For a country with five million people and limited resources, we comparatively perform outstandingly well against the other powerhouses of the game,' Stead added. Producing consistent performances over such a lengthy period rested in some part on Stead's ability to refresh the squad with young players as generational talents retired or spent lengthy periods on the sidelines with injury. Former Black Caps captain Kane Williamson said Stead is likely to be remembered as one of New Zealand's most successful cricket coaches. 'There was no one more hardworking and passionate about seeing the Black Caps grow and succeed,' he said. 'He was always thorough in his planning and preparation and will go down as one of our best coaches, but an even better bloke.' New Zealand 'hopeful' over Henry injury for India final NZC have already started the search for the successor to the former top-order test batsman and Stead said he would take some time to recharge before seeking out another challenge. 'I still have the coaching bug and will look to explore opportunities at home and abroad where I can look to share what I've learned from my 30 years of professional sport as a player and coach,' he said.
