Pakistan To Host Women's T20 World Cup 2028, ICC Allows India To Play At Neutral Venue

New Delhi, June 1: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday (June 1) has officially confirmed that India's matches at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2028, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan, will be played at a neutral venue.

The decision was ratified during the ICC Board meetings in Ahmedabad and effectively formalises a hybrid hosting model for one of the biggest events in women's cricket.

While Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will retain hosting rights for the tournament, India's matches will be shifted to a neutral venue, continuing the arrangement that has increasingly become the norm for ICC events involving India and Pakistan.

Hybrid Model Officially Extended To Women's Cricket

The announcement is significant because it provides clarity nearly three years before the tournament.

Relations between India and Pakistan have prevented bilateral cricket between the two nations for more than a decade, forcing cricket administrators to adopt neutral-venue arrangements for major multi-nation events.

The ICC's confirmation means the Women's T20 World Cup 2028 will follow a similar framework to recent ICC tournaments, where logistical solutions were implemented to ensure participation from both countries without requiring travel across the border.

Although the ICC has not yet announced the neutral venue that will host India's matches, the decision removes uncertainty surrounding the tournament schedule and planning process.

Women's T20 World Cup 2028 Format Confirmed

The ICC also approved the qualification pathway for the tournament.

The Women's T20 World Cup 2028 will feature 12 teams.

Ten teams will qualify automatically, including:

• The top eight teams from the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.
• The host nation, Pakistan, if not already qualified through performance.
• The next highest-ranked teams in the ICC Women's T20I Rankings as of July 6, 2026.

The remaining two places will be filled through a 10-team Global Qualifier tournament.

Regional qualification allocations will be finalised during future ICC meetings.

A Major Milestone For Pakistan Women's Cricket

The event represents one of the biggest global tournaments awarded to Pakistan in recent years. Hosting a Women's T20 World Cup is expected to provide a significant boost to the development and visibility of women's cricket in the country.

Pakistan has hosted several international events and bilateral series in recent years, gradually rebuilding its reputation as a major cricket destination after a long period during which teams were reluctant to tour the country.

The 2028 Women's T20 World Cup will further strengthen Pakistan's position in the global cricket landscape.

Growing Importance Of Women's Global Events

The ICC's decision also highlights the growing importance of women's cricket within the global calendar.

The governing body has aggressively expanded women's competitions over the last decade, increasing the number of participating teams and creating additional qualification pathways for emerging nations.

Alongside the Women's T20 World Cup 2028 announcement, the ICC also approved the launch of the Women's Emerging Nations Trophy and rescheduled the Women's Champions Trophy 2027, underlining its commitment to expanding opportunities for women cricketers around the world.

While the qualification structure has been approved, several details remain to be finalised.

The ICC is expected to announce:

• The neutral venue for India's matches.
• The final tournament schedule.
• Regional qualification allocations.
• Venue distribution between Pakistan and the neutral-host nation.

With nearly three years remaining before the event, the ICC has provided an early roadmap for one of the most anticipated tournaments in women's cricket.

For India and Pakistan, however, the announcement once again highlights how cricket's biggest rivalry continues to require unique solutions even on the global stage.