ICC announce Women's WC schedule

Pak women cricketers will play all their matches in Colombo

International Cricket Council (ICC), the world cricket governing body, has announced the schedule for the Women's Cricket World Cup 2025.

Hosts India will get the tournament underway against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru. The two countries will get the tournament started at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on 30 September, with action starting at 15h00 local time.

Pakistan will play all their games in Colombo in accordance with the hybrid agreement arrived at between the BCCI and the PCB. Their high-profile fixture against India will be played at the neutral venue of R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on October 5.

India enjoys a dominant record over Pakistan in women's ODIs, having won all 11 previous encounters, including their last World Cup meeting in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, where India secured a convincing 107-run victory.

Pakistan will also face Bangladesh (Oct 2), England (Oct 15), New Zealand (Oct 18), South Africa (Oct 21) and Sri Lanka (Oct 24).

Defending champions Australia, then get their campaign up and running against neighbours, New Zealand, at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on 1 October, while Bangladesh face Pakistan a day later in Colombo.

Bengaluru plays host for a second time as 2022 runners-up England, face South Africa on Friday, 3 October in the final opening match.

The round-robin stage runs until 26 October, with the final day of group stage action culminating in two matches on the same day with England facing New Zealand in Guwahati and India hosting Bangladesh in Bengaluru.

The semi-finals are scheduled for 29 and 30 October, before the Final takes place on 2 November.

The top four sides from the round-robin stage will progress to the semi-finals, with first place playing fourth and second taking on third.

ICC Chairman, Mr. Jay Shah said: "The confirmation of the schedule only builds further excitement and anticipation for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025.

"With the eight best teams in the women's game descending on India, alongside incredible venues and what promises to be record-breaking crowds, we are all looking forward to an unforgettable tournament."

The tournament will feature 28 league games followed by three knockouts, with matches spread across Bengaluru, Indore, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam and Colombo. The last of these - a double-header Sunday featuring England vs New Zealand and India vs Bangladesh - is on October 26.

ICC thank ECB, MCC for hosting WTC Final

The International Cricket Council (ICC) thanks the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) for successfully hosting the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025.

South Africa won the trophy for the first time courtesy of a five-wicket win over Australia at Lord's, which hosted the Final for the first time.

The showpiece occasion brought sell-out crowds to the Home of Cricket and fans were captivated throughout by an absorbing contest.

ICC Chairman, Mr. Jay Shah, said: "We would like to thank and congratulate the ECB and MCC for successfully hosting the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025.

"Lord's is a place synonymous with Test cricket and this was a match fitting of both the occasion and the venue.

"This was the third instalment of the ICC World Test Championship Final, the first at Lord's, and those involved in preparing the playing surfaces, delivering the match and hosting the teams and supporters should be very proud of the show they helped put on.

"Fans both in the ground and tuning in across the world through satellite and digital channels could not have failed to be gripped by the contest between two proud cricketing nations.

"Thank you to both Australia and South Africa for making it such a compelling occasion, and congratulations to South Africa for winning the competition for the first time.

"We look forward to the upcoming cycle of the ICC World Test Championship, which begins on 17 June, and crowning the next winners in 2027."