Bengaluru will stage the opening match, involving India, and the final if Pakistan are not involved. The full list of fixtures for the eight-team tournament is still to be announced.
Australia are the defending World Cup champions, having beaten England in the final of the previous tournament in New Zealand, delayed until 2022 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
One potential problem with the logistical switch could be the weather, with October one of the wetter months of the year in Sri Lanka.
India and Pakistan were not playing each other outside of major tournaments even before the conflict between the two nations last month.
The cricketing tension between the two countries escalated over the Champions Trophy. Even though Pakistan travelled to India for the men’s 50-over World Cup in 2023, India did not make a reciprocal journey earlier this year.
As part of the ICC arrangements, India played their matches in Dubai, going on to win the trophy after playing every fixture at the same venue.
In May, amid cross-border military strikes between the two nations, both the Indian Premier League and Pakistan Super League were suspended before resuming. The delayed IPL final will be played on Tuesday.
It remains to be seen whether the government of either country will allow their team to take part in a fixture against the other.
It has also been announced the opening game of next year’s Women’s T20 World Cup in England will be played at Edgbaston on 12 June.
The semi-finals have been confirmed for The Oval. The final will take place at Lord’s on 5 July 2026.
Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025: Expert Insights on Venues, Politics & Potential Upsets
Teh ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 is generating buzz, and Time.news has secured an exclusive interview with renowned cricket analyst, Dr. Anya Sharma, to delve into the key issues surrounding the tournament. From venue challenges to political tensions, we uncover the factors that could shape the competition.
Time.news: Dr. Sharma, thanks for joining us. The article highlights that Bengaluru will host the opening match,featuring India,and perhaps the final,unless Pakistan is involved. What implications does this have for the tournament atmosphere and fan engagement?
Dr. Anya Sharma: The choice of Bengaluru is strategic. India is a cricket-loving nation, and hosting the opening match guarantees a vibrant atmosphere. The potential to host the final, contingent on Pakistan’s participation, adds another layer of intrigue. It maximizes the chance of a packed stadium and important viewership, boosting the tournament’s profile. However, it also places significant pressure on the Indian team.
Time.news: The article also touches upon the strained relationship between India and Pakistan in cricket.How does this geopolitical tension affect the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025?
Dr. Anya Sharma: it’s a significant factor. The article correctly points out that India and Pakistan haven’t played each other outside of major tournaments recently due to ongoing conflict. Whether the governments allow their teams to compete against each other remains a major question. If they don’t, it’s a loss for the fans and potentially for the tournament’s competitive balance. The ICC may need contingency plans, potentially mirroring the men’s arrangements where matches were held in a neutral venue like Dubai.
Time.news: Moving on to the defending champions, Australia. What are their chances in the upcoming World Cup?
Dr. Anya Sharma: Australia is always a force to be reckoned with in women’s cricket. As the defending champions, they have the experience and the talent to go all the way. However, the other teams are constantly improving. The delayed 2022 tournament in New Zealand saw a dominant Australian performance,but conditions in India and Sri Lanka present different challenges.
Time.news: The article mentions that October, when part of the tournament is scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka, can be a wetter month.How might weather conditions impact the games?
Dr. Anya Sharma: The weather is a crucial factor, especially in ODI cricket. Rain delays and interruptions can disrupt momentum and even lead to reduced-overs matches, often decided by Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method which is often contentious. Teams need to adapt their strategies and be prepared for unpredictable conditions. The ICC must also have strategies in place to mitigate the impact of adverse weather,such as reserve days or moving matches to venues with better weather forecasts.
Time.news: The article also mentions the Women’s T20 World Cup in England next year. How significant is that event in the broader landscape of women’s cricket?
Dr. Anya Sharma: The Women’s T20 World Cup is incredibly vital. It showcases the dynamic and exciting nature of T20 cricket and attracts a new generation of fans. Hosting it in a prominent cricket nation like England, with the final at Lord’s, elevated the profile of women’s cricket globally, which is only helped by having the opening game at edgbaston [[1, 3]]. It helps to bring in new and varied sponsorship opportunities and to attract a wider support base than before.
Time.news: what advice would you give to fans looking forward to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025?
Dr. Anya Sharma: Stay informed about the schedule and potential venue changes. Be prepared for possible match disruptions due to weather.More importantly, appreciate the growing talent and competitiveness in women’s cricket. This World Cup promises to be an exciting showcase of skill and determination, and I encourage everyone to tune in and support their favorite teams [[1, 2]]. Root for cricket and don’t forget to check out the Under 19 Women’s T20 World Cup early in the year to see the up and coming new players of the sport [[3]].
