PCB pushes for Champions Trophy formula for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028

Pakistan Eyes Full Hosting Role for 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup as India Venue Question Remains

Pakistan is preparing to host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028, but uncertainty over where India will play could shape the tournament’s final schedule and venue plan. The ICC has confirmed that the 12-team competition will run from September 7 to October 1, 2028, with Pakistan named as the main host. However, no final decision has been announced on whether India’s matches will take place in Pakistan or at a neutral venue.

The issue reflects the neutral-venue arrangements used for major ICC and Asia Cup events involving India and Pakistan. With those arrangements still relevant, the tournament’s organisers may need to balance Pakistan’s hosting ambitions with the practical and diplomatic considerations surrounding India’s participation.

PCB proposes a Champions Trophy-style arrangement

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is understood to favour a plan similar to the one used for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Under that model, India played its matches in the United Arab Emirates, while Pakistan hosted the rest of the tournament. Pakistan staged 10 of the event’s 15 matches, including a Lahore semi-final that did not involve India. India went on to win the title in Dubai.

A PCB source told PTI that Pakistan would like to host matches from both groups, along with knockout fixtures that do not feature India. The proposal would allow Pakistan to make substantial use of its home grounds while giving India a neutral venue if the existing arrangement is applied.

“We would like to host matches from both groups and the knockout matches in which the Indian team is not involved,” the source said. The UAE, the source added, could be a practical choice because travel between Pakistan and Dubai is relatively short, potentially making logistics simpler and less expensive.

Why the UAE is being considered

The United Arab Emirates has become a familiar neutral venue for international cricket, with established stadiums, transport links and experience hosting major tournaments. Dubai’s proximity to Pakistan could also reduce travel demands for teams, officials and support staff compared with a more distant alternative.

That familiarity may make the UAE an attractive option, but it does not mean the decision has already been made. The ICC has not officially confirmed where India’s 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup matches will be played. Venue selection will depend on consultations among the governing body, the participating boards and tournament organisers, as well as the applicable hosting arrangements.

For fans, the question matters beyond geography. A neutral-venue plan could affect ticket access, travel costs and the atmosphere around India’s fixtures. It could also influence how the tournament schedule is structured, particularly if India is placed in a group whose other matches are scheduled in Pakistan.

Final venue could depend on India’s progress

The location of the final may also remain open until India’s prospects become clearer. If India do not qualify for the final, Lahore could be considered for the championship match, according to the PCB source. If India reach the final, organisers would have to determine how the neutral-venue arrangement applies to the tournament’s biggest fixture.

India are likely to enter the competition as one of the teams expected to challenge for the title, given their established standing in women’s cricket. That makes the final venue a potentially significant planning issue rather than a minor scheduling detail. A decision made too early could leave organisers needing to revise arrangements later, while waiting until the knockout stage could complicate travel and ticketing plans.

Any prediction about where the final will be held should therefore be treated cautiously. Lahore is a possible option if India are not involved, while a neutral venue could be required if they qualify. Until the ICC publishes a confirmed venue plan, both scenarios remain under discussion rather than settled outcomes.

What the tournament could mean for Pakistan cricket

Hosting a major women’s tournament would give Pakistan an opportunity to showcase its stadiums, event operations and growing support for women’s cricket. Staging matches across both groups and non-India knockout fixtures would also provide local fans with access to a broad range of international teams, rather than limiting the event to a small number of games.

The tournament could offer a wider boost to the women’s game in the country. International fixtures can raise visibility for players, encourage young cricketers and create opportunities for broadcasters and sponsors. A successful event would also strengthen Pakistan’s case for hosting future global competitions.

At the same time, the final venue plan will need to be clear enough for teams and supporters to make arrangements well in advance. Security, transport, accommodation, broadcast operations and ticketing all depend on knowing where matches will be played. A split-host model may be workable, but it requires careful coordination between Pakistan and any neutral venue.

A busy year for international T20 cricket

The women’s tournament will be one of two major T20 World Cups scheduled for 2028. The men’s ICC T20 World Cup is set to take place in Australia and New Zealand from October 12 to November 12, shortly after the women’s competition concludes. The close timing will make 2028 a major year for the format and could keep global attention on T20 cricket for several consecutive weeks.

For now, Pakistan remains the main host of the Women’s T20 World Cup, while the UAE is a possible neutral venue for India’s matches. The PCB’s preferred model would allow Pakistan to stage most of the competition, but the ICC has yet to confirm the details. The final schedule—and whether Lahore can host the title match—will depend on the eventual venue agreement and India’s progress through the tournament.