Cricket Pakistan Faces India in Neutral Venue
The neutral venue decision marks a significant development in the ongoing saga between Pakistan and India, with the PCB Chairman emphasizing the need for reciprocal treatment in international cricket. The team's qualification for the World Cup is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and fans will be eagerly watching their progress in the tournament.
Pakistan's women's cricket team will play their ICC ODI World Cup matches at a neutral venue instead of traveling to India, following a decision made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in response to India's refusal to send their team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy.
The PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, stated that the decision is a reciprocal response to India's actions, and the team will play their matches at a neutral venue as part of a hybrid model agreed upon earlier this year. The ICC ODI World Cup is scheduled to take place in India from September 29 to October 26, with Australia as the defending champions.
Pakistan qualified for the World Cup after winning all five matches in the Qualifiers held in Lahore, and the PCB Chairman expressed satisfaction with the team's performance. The team's qualification was secured after they defeated Thailand by 87 runs in their fourth One-Day International (ODI) encounter in the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifiers, played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The match against Thailand saw a 97-run partnership between Sidra Amin and Fatima Sana, which helped Pakistan recover from a struggling start. Fatima scored 62 not out, while Sidra top-scored with 80 runs. The team's spin trio of Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, and Rameen Shamim bowled tightly, restricting Thailand to 118 runs in 37 overs, with Fatima taking 3 wickets and Rameen and Nashra taking 2 wickets each.
The decision to play at a neutral venue is expected to have significant implications for the team's performance and preparation for the tournament. The PCB Chairman's statement suggests that the board is committed to ensuring the team's safety and well-being, while also upholding the principles of reciprocal treatment in international cricket.