Women’s World Cup 2025: India vs Pakistan Clash Set for October 5 in Colombo
In a highly anticipated showdown, arch-rivals India and Pakistan are gearing up to face off on October 5, 2025, in Colombo during the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. This marquee encounter, set against the backdrop of historic rivalry, promises to be a highlight of the tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Under a hybrid model agreed upon by the BCCI and PCB, Pakistan will play all their matches at the neutral venue of Colombo to ensure smooth operations amid political tensions. This means Harmanpreet Kaur and her Indian team will travel to Sri Lanka for this blockbuster group-stage clash, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the fixture.
The eight-team tournament kicks off on September 30, 2025, with hosts India facing co-hosts Sri Lanka in Bengaluru. The format follows a round-robin structure, with each team playing the others once before the top four advance to the semifinals. Defending champions Australia, who have dominated women’s cricket with six ODI World Cup titles, will open their campaign against Trans-Tasman rivals and reigning T20 World Champions New Zealand on October 1 in Indore.
Matches will be spread across five vibrant cities: Bengaluru, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, and Indore in India, alongside Colombo in Sri Lanka. The knockout stage begins with the first semifinal on October 29, to be held in either Guwahati or Colombo depending on Pakistan’s qualification. The second semifinal is slated for October 30 in Bengaluru, culminating in the grand finale on November 2 at either Bengaluru or Colombo.
India’s journey in the tournament is packed with challenging fixtures. After their opener against Sri Lanka, they take on Pakistan, followed by matches against South Africa on October 9 in Visakhapatnam, powerhouse Australia on October 12 in Visakhapatnam, England on October 19 in Indore, New Zealand on October 23 in Guwahati, and finally Bangladesh on October 26 in Bengaluru. With such a grueling schedule, Harmanpreet’s side will need to bring their A-game to secure a spot in the knockouts.
The India-Pakistan clash, often dubbed a ‘battle of emotions’, transcends beyond the boundary with its cultural and historical significance. The last time these two sides met in an ODI World Cup was in 2022, where India emerged victorious by 107 runs in New Zealand. Fans across the globe are already buzzing with excitement, as this encounter is expected to draw record viewership, both in stadiums and on screens.
As the countdown to the Women’s World Cup 2025 begins, all eyes will be on whether India can leverage their home advantage in most fixtures while overcoming the unique challenge of facing Pakistan on neutral turf. Will Harmanpreet Kaur lead her team to glory, or will Pakistan pull off an upset in Colombo? Cricket enthusiasts, mark your calendars—this is a spectacle you won’t want to miss!