Pakistan is keen to host all matches of the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup, except those involving India, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerging as the likely neutral venue for the arch-rivals’ fixtures.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Friday that the 12-team tournament will be held from September 7 to October 1, 2028, with Pakistan as the primary host. However, a final decision on the venue for India’s matches is yet to be made.
Pakistan and India follow a hybrid hosting arrangement under which either country plays its matches at a designated neutral venue when the other hosts an ICC or Asian Cricket Council event. The arrangement has been in place since the 2025 Champions Trophy, which Pakistan hosted with India playing
all its matches in the UAE.
India went on to win the Champions Trophy final in Dubai, while Pakistan hosted 10 of the tournament’s 15 matches, including a semifinal that did not involve India. A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official told PTI the board would push for a similar arrangement for the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup, with Dubai seen as an easy-to-manage venue, logistically. The final could be held in Lahore if India fail to qualify for it.
Another controversy brewing?
The 2025 Champions Trophy sparked controversy when this so-called “hybrid model” was implemented following India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan over security concerns. Consequently, the Indian team played all their tournament matches at a single venue in Dubai.
International players, including those playing in the tournament, coaches, and critics argued this setup gave India an unfair advantage. While other competing nations dealt with the fatigue of traveling across different cities and countries, India were accused of benefiting from staying in a single hotel and using one dressing room throughout the event
Critics also noted that remaining in Dubai allowed India to master the local pitch conditions, allowing them to field a spin-heavy squad perfectly suited for the venue.
