Fatima Sana-led Pakistan kept up their unbeaten run at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier and sealed their spot at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, to be hosted by India later this year. The hosts made it four wins out of four as they thrashed Thailand by 87 runs in Lahore on Thursday. Pakistan’s qualification now confirms that the tournament will be held in a hybrid model as they won’t be travelling to India for the tournament that is scheduled to start late September.
Hosting the tournament for the first time, Pakistan started off on a strong note by winning a thriller against Ireland who at one stage looked to be cruising to an upset win in the opener. They then followed it up with a 6-wicket win against Scotland and a 65-run victory against the West Indies.
With four wins out of four, Pakistan sealed their spot in the World Cup, while there is one more spot up for grabs at the Qualifiers in Lahore. As hosts India had earned automatic qualification, while Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand and Sri Lanka earned their tickets by finishing in the top six of the last cycle of ICC Women’s Championship 2022-’25. With 3 wins in 4 matches, Bangladesh currently have the upperhand but they face Pakistan next.
Earlier, The Indian Express had reported that the BCCI picked Thiruvananthapuram as one of the venues for the tournament, courtesy the hybrid model agreed upon between the Indian and Pakistan cricket boards before the recent Champions Trophy earlier this year. If Pakistan qualifies for the World Cup, their matches will be played in neighbouring countries, in either Sri Lanka or Dubai. None of the other shortlisted venues by BCcI in India have immigration or visa facilities available, apart from Thiruvananthapuram. Since Pakistan won’t be travelling to India for ICC events, the BCCI has planned for all teams contesting against them to fly from the southern coast of India.
It is understood that Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, Mullanpur and Indore are the other shortlisted venues in India.
