Pakistan wants to stage every fixture at the 2028 Women's T20 World Cup that does not involve India, with the UAE emerging as the likely neutral venue for India's games. The ICC has confirmed a 12-team event from September 7 to October 1, 2028, with Pakistan as principal host.
2028 Women's T20 World Cup: Key Details
The ICC has confirmed Pakistan as the principal host of the tournament. A neutral venue for India's matches is part of the arrangement, but its location has not been finalised.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|
| Tournament | 2028 Women's T20 World Cup |
| Teams | 12 |
| Dates | September 7 to October 1, 2028 |
| Principal host | Pakistan |
| India's venue | Neutral, not yet finalised (UAE preferred) |
A Pakistan Cricket Board source said the board is ready to host. It would also press the ICC to replicate the hybrid arrangement used at the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Pakistan's Hosting Proposal
The PCB wants to host matches from both groups, along with knockout fixtures in which India are not involved. That would place the bulk of the schedule in Pakistan, with only India's games moved elsewhere.
The source said the board would also like to see the ICC confirm the arrangements early. The venue plan has not yet been formally announced.
Why the UAE Is the Preferred Neutral Venue
According to the PCB source, the UAE is likely to be the venue of choice for all parties. The reasoning is largely logistical.
Travel between Pakistan and Dubai is short, and the source said this makes logistics cheaper and easier to manage. Dubai also served as the neutral venue for India during the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Possible Lahore Final
The source indicated that Lahore could host the final if India fail to qualify for it. The ICC has not confirmed any venue arrangements, so this remains a proposal rather than a decision.
India are among the leading sides in women's cricket and are expected to be strong contenders for the knockout stages. The final venue will therefore depend heavily on how the tournament unfolds.
The Hybrid Model: Historical Comparison
The hybrid model was agreed by India and Pakistan for ICC events. When either nation hosts, matches involving the two countries are played at neutral venues. The ICC confirmed the arrangement in December 2024 and extended it to the 2028 Women's T20 World Cup.
| Event | Host | Neutral Venue Used | Notes |
|---|
| 2023 Asia Cup | Pakistan and Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | India played its matches in Sri Lanka |
| 2025 Champions Trophy | Pakistan | Dubai | India played all games in Dubai, including the final against New Zealand, which it won |
| 2025 Women's ODI World Cup | India | Colombo | Pakistan played in Colombo, including the group-stage match against India |
| 2028 Women's T20 World Cup | Pakistan | To be finalised (UAE preferred) | Hybrid model confirmed by the ICC |
Champions Trophy Benchmark
The 2025 Champions Trophy is the closest comparison. Pakistan hosted 10 of the tournament's 15 matches, which is roughly 67 percent of the schedule.
The remaining five matches, about 33 percent, were played at the neutral venue. If the 2028 event follows a similar structure, Pakistan could again host the majority of fixtures.
Implications for Women's Cricket in Pakistan
The PCB source said hosting the event would give women's cricket in Pakistan a significant boost. The board is keen to develop a competitive team ahead of the global tournament.
A home World Cup would give domestic players and administrators exposure to international-standard scheduling and venue operations. It would also test Pakistan's ability to run a 12-team event over a 25-day window.
Analytical Takeaways
Three points stand out from the current proposal:
- The format is precedent-based, with three recent events using neutral venues for India-Pakistan fixtures.
- The UAE is favoured on cost and travel time, though no decision has been made.
- The final venue is conditional on India's qualification, which keeps the schedule flexible.
The 2028 Women's T20 World Cup will be another important test for the hybrid model. India and Pakistan will continue to play their matches at neutral venues in multinational tournaments, and the ICC is yet to confirm the full venue plan.