Now Reading: Pakistan Wants Every Non-India Game at 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup, UAE Tipped as Neutral Venue
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Pakistan Wants Every Non-India Game at 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup, UAE Tipped as Neutral Venue
Pakistan Wants Every Non-India Game at 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup, UAE Tipped as Neutral Venue
The 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup is already shaping up as a major diplomatic and logistical test. Pakistan wants to stage every fixture that does not involve India, while the UAE is emerging as the favoured neutral venue for the Indian team. The hybrid model is back in play.
Pakistan Pushes for Hosting Rights
The ICC has confirmed that the 12-team tournament will run from September 7 to October 1, 2028. Pakistan will be the principal host.
A neutral venue for India’s matches is part of the plan, but it has not been finalised. A Pakistan Cricket Board source said the board is ready to host and will push the ICC to repeat the arrangement used at the 2025 Champions Trophy.
“We would like to host matches of both groups and the knockout matches where the Indian team is not involved,” the source said, as quoted by India Today.
Why the UAE Is the Front-Runner
Geography and cost are driving the early thinking. The PCB source said the UAE is likely to be the venue of choice for everyone involved.
“UAE will probably be the neutral venue of choice for everyone because the travel between Pakistan and Dubai is short, and logistics becomes less expensive and easier to handle,” he added.
A short hop between Pakistan and Dubai would ease the burden on teams, broadcasters and officials. It would also keep the tournament split manageable.
The Hybrid Model Explained
Under the hybrid model agreed by India and Pakistan, matches involving the two countries are played at neutral venues whenever either nation hosts an ICC event. The ICC confirmed the arrangement in December 2024. It has now extended it to the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup.
A Proven Template
The model has already been tested several times. The 2025 Champions Trophy is the clearest example. Pakistan hosted, and India played every match in Dubai, including the final against New Zealand, which it won.
Pakistan staged 10 of that tournament’s 15 matches. That split is the blueprint the PCB hopes to follow in 2028.
Hybrid Model Precedents
| Tournament | Host(s) | Arrangement |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Asia Cup | Pakistan and Sri Lanka | India played its matches in Sri Lanka |
| 2025 Champions Trophy | Pakistan | India played all games in Dubai; Pakistan hosted 10 of 15 matches |
| 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup | India | Pakistan played its matches in Colombo, including the group clash against India |
| 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup | Pakistan | Neutral venue for India’s games, yet to be confirmed |
What It Means for the Tournament
India are among the leading teams in women’s cricket. They are expected to be strong contenders for the knockout stages in 2028.
That matters for planning. According to the PCB source, Lahore could host the final if India fail to qualify. The ICC has yet to confirm any venue arrangements.
A Boost for Women’s Cricket in Pakistan
The source also said that hosting the event would give women’s cricket in Pakistan a significant lift. The board is keen to build a competitive team ahead of the global tournament.
Hosting a World Cup at home could raise the profile of the women’s game, from grassroots participation to crowds and sponsorship.
The Next Test for the Hybrid Model
The 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup will be another important test for the hybrid approach. India and Pakistan continue to play their matches at neutral venues in multinational tournaments.
Key questions remain. Will the UAE be confirmed? How many matches will Pakistan get? And where will the final be played? The ICC’s next announcements will decide how much of this plan becomes reality.
