Pakistan aims to host all 2028 women’s T20 World Cup matches, India could play in UAE

India likely to play their 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup matches in the UAE. (Photo credit: PTI)

New Delhi: Pakistan will look to host all matches of the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup, while India are likely to play their games in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that the 12-team tournament will be held from September 7 to October 1, 2028.

Pakistan will be the main host, while the venue for India’s matches is yet to be decided. Under the agreed hybrid model between Pakistan and India, if either country hosts an ICC or Asian tournament, the other side will play its games at the designated neutral venue.

This process has been in place and followed since the 2025 Champions Trophy, which was hosted by Pakistan. India played all of their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai and won the title after defeating New Zealand. Pakistan, meanwhile, hosted 10 out of 15 matches, including one semifinal.

The same model was followed in other major tournaments. During the 2023 Asia Cup, which was hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, India played their matches in Sri Lanka. During the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup in India, Pakistan played their matches in Colombo, including its group-stage clash against India.

An official source in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told PTI that they were ready to host the Women’s T20 World Cup but would urge ICC to follow the same hybrid model used for the Champions Trophy.

“We would like to host matches of both groups and the knockout matches where the Indian team is not involved. UAE will probably be the neutral venue of choice for everyone because the travel between Pakistan and Dubai is short, and logistics becomes less expensive and easier to handle,” an official PCB said as quoted by PTI.

“India, being among the top-ranked women’s teams in the world, would be favourites to make the knockout stage. But if they don’t qualify for the final, it would be held in Lahore,” he added.

The source added that hosting the event would boost women’s cricket in Pakistan, which is keen to build a strong side for the ICC event. The 2028 men’s T20 World Cup, meanwhile, is scheduled to be held from October 12 to November 12 in Australia and New Zealand.

Prince is currently with the sports team of News9 Digital. He is an avid football and cricket fan, and an adventurous traveler on a mission to experience the best of both sports and the world.