The Women's World Cup 2025 kicked off in Guwahati, India on September 30 with the hosts taking on Sri Lanka in the curtain-raiser. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side began their journey with a 59-run win over their neighbours.
The focus now shifts to the high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash, which will be contested on Sunday, October 5, at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
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After an intense battle between the men's sides of the two nations in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2025, where India beat Pakistan in all three of their encounters, including the final to win the title, the focus now shifts to women's cricket.
The two rival nations will clash in Colombo, although the tournament is solely hosted by the Indians. So why is the big-ticket clash happening in Sri Lanka.
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Why is IND vs PAK women's World Cup match being held in Colombo?
Amid the political tensions between India and Pakistan, the countries have stopped visiting each other and bilateral cricket in both men's and women's have been completely on hold.
For international and ICC events, if one of the two nations are hosting the competition, then the other nation will be based in a neutral place and play their matches in that venue.
During the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 earlier this year, India were based out of Dubai, UAE as Pakistan hosted the tournament.
Similarly, the Pakistan women's team are now based in Sri Lanka and will play their matches in Colombo.
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