The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday unveiled the schedule for the ICC Women’s World Cup, to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2.
Pakistan will commence their campaign on October 2 against Bangladesh at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, where all their group-stage matches are set to be played. This arrangement is in line with the hybrid model announced by the ICC last year.
Led by all-rounder Fatima Sana, Pakistan qualified for the eight-team event after an unbeaten run in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier, held in here earlier this year.
Pakistan’s highly anticipated clash with arch-rivals India is scheduled for October 5, followed by encounters against defending champions Australia on October 8 and 2017 champions England on October 15. The national side will then face New Zealand (October 18), South Africa (October 21), and co-hosts Sri Lanka (October 24) to conclude their round-robin stage.
If Pakistan secure a semi-final berth, they will play the knockout fixture on October 29 in Colombo. The final, slated for November 2, will also be hosted in the Sri Lankan capital should Pakistan qualify.
However, if the team does not progress beyond the group stage, the semi-final and final will be held in Guwahati and Bengaluru, respectively. As per the ICC, all participating teams will feature in two warm-up matches beginning September 24.
Four-Day Test Matches
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has agreed in principle to reduce Test matches from five days to four for most member nations.
According to British media reports, the proposal will take effect in the 2027–29 World Test Championship cycle but will not apply to India, England or Australia, who will continue to play five day Tests. All other Test playing nations—including Pakistan, South Africa, New?Zealand, Sri Lanka and the West Indies—will contest four day matches under the new arrangement.
England vs Sri Lanka
Hosts England will kick off their 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on June 12 while holders New Zealand begin their title defense against the West Indies a day later, the International Cricket Council said on Wednesday.
Group 1 includes record six-times champions Australia, two-times runners-up South Africa, 2020 finalists India and Pakistan, as well as two teams from the Global Qualifier tournament.
New Zealand, 2009 champions England, Sri Lanka, 2016 winners West Indies and the other two teams from the Global Qualifier are in Group 2.
The top two teams from Group 1 and Group 2 will advance to the semifinals of the biennial T20 international tournament, which will be contested by 12 teams for the first time.
“World Cups are always special, but this one already feels different – it has the potential to be truly game-changing,” England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt said in a statement.
“Playing on home soil, for the biggest prize, against the best players in the world, it’s going to be unmissable. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
Edgbaston will also host a clash between Asian rivals India and Pakistan on June 14.
Hampshire Bowl, Headingley, Old Trafford, The Oval, Bristol County Ground and Lord’s are the other venues.
The final will take place at Lord’s on July 5.