Last Updated: September 6, 2025 10:31 AM
As excitement builds for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, a surprising development has emerged—Pakistan will not attend the tournament’s grand opening ceremony in India.
Scheduled for September 30 in Guwahati, the ceremony will mark the official start of the much-awaited competition. But according to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided that no player or representative will take part in the event.
This news has added a fresh twist to the tournament’s narrative, once again underlining how cricket and politics remain deeply intertwined when it comes to India–Pakistan relations.
Why Pakistan Is Skipping the Ceremony
The decision is rooted in a mutual understanding often referred to as the “Fusion Formula”, under which India and Pakistan avoid traveling to each other’s countries for ICC events over the next three years.
While India had previously opted out of playing matches in Pakistan during the men’s Champions Trophy build-up, Pakistan has now reciprocated by choosing not to attend the Women’s World Cup curtain-raiser in India. Instead, the entirety of Pakistan’s campaign will be staged in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Ceremony Without Pakistan
The opening ceremony in Guwahati promises to be a glittering spectacle. Fans can look forward to:
- A live performance by singer Shreya Ghoshal, one of India’s most loved voices.
- A trophy photoshoot capturing the spirit of the tournament.
- A joint press conference featuring captains of participating nations (except Pakistan).
While Pakistan’s absence will be noticeable, the buzz around the event remains strong as cricketing nations gear up to showcase the best of women’s cricket.
Pakistan’s World Cup Campaign
Although the team will miss the opening event, Pakistan will be fully involved once the action begins:
- First Match: October 2 vs Bangladesh
- India vs Pakistan Showdown: October 5 in Colombo
- Venue for All Matches: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
- Semi-finals (if qualified): October 29
- Final (if qualified): November 2
This setup ensures consistency for the Pakistan team but also means they’ll have no matches on Indian soil during the tournament.
Pakistan in the Women’s World Cup 2025 Schedule
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening Ceremony | September 30, Guwahati – Pakistan will not attend |
| Reason | Fusion Formula agreement & political tensions |
| Match Venue | Colombo, Sri Lanka (all group games, semis, and final if qualified) |
| First Match | October 2 vs Bangladesh |
| India vs Pakistan Clash | October 5 in Colombo |
| Special Events Missed | Shreya Ghoshal performance, captains’ joint press meet, trophy photoshoot |
In Shorts:
Pakistan’s absence from the opening ceremony may grab headlines, but it’s unlikely to overshadow the thrill of the Women’s World Cup 2025. With India–Pakistan rivalry still on the cards, fans can expect high-intensity cricket and plenty of unforgettable moments.
As the tournament unfolds, cricket lovers will be watching closely—not just for the matches, but also for how off-field decisions continue to shape one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries.
