Finally, the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup returns to India after a long 12 years. India and Sri Lanka will be the host nations for the upcoming edition of the Women's ODI Cup; for that, the names of the venues have been revealed by the International Cricket Council. 

The 13th edition of the tournament will start on September 30, and the grand finale will be held on November 2. A total of 5 venues will be utilized for the 8-team tournament. M. Chinnaswamy Stadium (Bengaluru), ACA Stadium (Guwahati), Holkar Stadium (Indore), ACA-VDCA Stadium (Visakhapatnam), and R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo)—these are the 5 grounds to host the World Cup matches.

As the Women's ODI World Cup returns to India after 12 years, India will feature in the opening game of the tournament in Bengaluru on September 30 as the Women’s Cricket World.

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Venues can depend on Pakistan match results

According to the report released by the International Cricket Council (ICC), "The first semi-final will take place in either Guwahati or Colombo on October 29, with the second semi-final to be played the following day on October 30 in Bengaluru. The two finalists will then have at least two days to prepare for the title decider, with the final of the 2025 Women's World Cup to be held in either Bengaluru or Colombo on Sunday, November 2". Important thing to note is that if Pakistan qualifies, then the final will be held in Colombo.

India, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are the 8 teams to take part in the tournament. Australia will be one of the clear favorites to win the title, as they are the defending champion. 

2025 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup schedule 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐃!

Read more ➡ https://t.co/myj2Gfamkv pic.twitter.com/zl3IYWC2e6

— ICC (@ICC) June 2, 2025

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has made a controversial decision to spark a debate by banning transgender cricketers from women's cricket. 

It is a big debate in the entire sports world whether the transgenders should be allowed in women's sports or not. On April 15, the UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a woman is defined by biological sex under equality law. With this updated legal status, the ECB has come up the new decision about the transwomen.   

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ECB bans transwomen in women's cricket with immediate effect

The ECB has clarified that the transwomen aren't now eligible to serve in women's cricket. However, transgender women and girls are eligible to play in open and mixed cricket. 

The ECB official statement claims, "With immediate effect, only those whose biological sex is female will be eligible to play in women’s cricket and girls’ cricket matches. Transgender women and girls can continue playing in open and mixed cricket."  

In their official statement, the ECB further added, "Our regulations for recreational cricket have always aimed at ensuring that cricket remains as inclusive a sport as possible. These included measures to manage disparities, irrespective of someone’s gender, and safeguard the enjoyment of all players."

However, due to the latest Supreme Court ruling, the ECB believes that its latest changes are necessary. 

In November 2023, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that transgender women who had gone through male puberty were banned from playing in international women's matches.

ECB working with the Recreational Cricket Boards

The ECB understands that this decision will have a significant impact on transgender women and girls in the sport. Meanwhile, they are ready to work with the Recreational Cricket Boards to support impacted people. 

According to the BBC report, "the judges ruled that interpreting sex as "certificated" rather than "biological" would "cut across the definitions of man and "woman and thus the protected characteristic of sex in an incoherent way".

The ongoing Women's ODI Tri-Nation series between India, Sri Lanka, and South Africa has already seen a lot of great performances, but there's more to witness as Nilakshi de Silva pulled off one of the stunning catches seen in recent times to dismiss South African player Chloe Tryon in the game between Sri Lanka and South Africa on Friday, May 02.

Nilakshi de Silva Takes One of The Finest Catch to Dismiss Chloe Tryon

The match had started with South Africa batting first at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Within just 120 runs, South Africa lost their 5 wickets. Thereafter, Annerie Dercksen and Chloe Tryon hold the innings and built a strong half-century partnership for the sixth wicket.

 As the match is going on partnership between them is getting stronger, and it seems that the ship has been saved from sinking, but during the 41st over of the innings, Tryon looked to accelerate the scoreboard by stepping out to Dewmi Vihanga, the debutant over deep midwicket. The shot looked as if it would clear the rope, but Nilakshi had other plans. She was standing in the long-on region, ran in towards the ball, and timed her dive perfectly, keeping her body in a steady position to get a hold of the ball. The fielder also managed to keep her body away from the boundary rope, as the catch was taken inches away from the ropes, handing the bowler her second wicket in her international cricket career. At first, she wasn't sure that if her feet had touched the ropes or not, but after a quick third umpire review, it was confirmed that the catch was clear. Nilakshi herself looked to be in a state of surprise after taking the brilliant catch of Tryon, who walked back to the pavilion, contributing 35 runs to the team.

Here is the full video posted by FanCode's official handle on X (formerly Twitter):

https://x.com/FanCode/status/1918225274266583344

South Africa Post Challenging 236 Target For The Hosts 

South Africa lost the toss, elected to bat first, and made 235/9 on board in 50 overs. The middle-order batter handled the extreme pressure situation after losing 5 wickets in just 120 runs. Annerie Dercksen's solid 61 and Lara Goodall's 46 provided stability to the team, which helped them to take the final score to 236. On the other hand, for Sri Lanka, Malki Madara picked up 4 wickets giving 50 runs, and Dewmi Vihanga continued her excellent form getting 3 wickets, including the key wicket of Tryon.

The final result of the match may swing to any side, but Nilakshis's sensational catch will leave a mark on this match and perhaps the series.

Fatima Sana took charge of the show with a game-winning all-round performance as Pakistan Women charged into the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 with a commanding 67-run victory over Thailand at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday. The triumph was their fourth consecutive win in the qualifiers and made them the first team to qualify from the six-country tournament.

Skipper Fatima was just brilliant, saving Pakistan from a precarious 85 for 4 with an unbeaten 62 before chipping in with 3 for 29 to annihilate Thailand's pursuit. Sidra Amin gave the solidity with a solid 80, her third fifty in four matches, as the duo shared a vital 97-run partnership. Thailand's pursuit never gained momentum, folding to 138 all out against the spin of Pakistan after a reasonable beginning.

"Choriya" on the front – Pakistan Women's mute critics with masterful performance

Rameen Shamim abetted the spin attack with three wickets, as Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal maintained the pressure. Although Pakistan's fielding had scope for improvement through six dropped chances, their bowling attack again proved penetrative when it was most required. The victory not only guaranteed qualification but emphasized Pakistan's emerging danger as a well-balanced and resilient outfit.

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With India qualified as hosts, and Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka also having qualified in advance, Pakistan's inclusion leaves just one position open. Bangladesh, the West Indies, and Scotland are vying for that sole position.

Yet, Pakistan's qualification has thrown a spanner into the tournament planning. Similar to the forthcoming 2025 Champions Trophy, World Cup matches against Pakistan will be hosted at neutral grounds because of the ICC's hybrid model agreement. UAE is being rumored as a possible co-host with India for the tournament to be staged in September-October 2025.

Fan Reactions:

Pakistan 🇵🇰 and Bangladesh 🇧🇩 women cricket teams will Qualify for the ICC women’s cricket World Cup both are on top two positions in qualifiers.
Pakistan women team will not play in India 🇮🇳 Pakistan matches will be scheduled outside India 🇮🇳 that’s it pic.twitter.com/MBH24q1pEj

— Sohail Imran (@sohailimrangeo) April 16, 2025

Pakistan has qualified for ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.

4/4 for Pakistan in Women's World Cup Qualifiers.

Pakistan beat Thailand by 87 runs. pic.twitter.com/RMOAfHmMo9

— Osama (@sporrtingnerd) April 17, 2025

Congratulations, Team Pakistan! ❤️
I'm so proud of each and every one of you. What an incredible journey these qualifiers have been! Winning hits differently when the world had written you off. pic.twitter.com/itOu9GbslF

— Sakina Naz (@Itsnaz03) April 17, 2025

Pakistan has Qualified into the Women's World Cup 2025, this means the event happening in India will be in Hybrid model like Champions Trophy 2025. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/hpFel1JxcM

— Muhammad Noman (@Nomancricket29) April 17, 2025

Pakistan Women have qualified for the Women's World Cup later this year in India.

It would be a real shame to the power of the BCCI and Jay Shah if Pakistan’s matches are held outside India.

— Ragav 𝕏 (@ragav_x) April 17, 2025

BREAKING: Pakistan women cricket team has qualified for ICC women's cricket world cup after winning the 4th consecutive match in WC qualifiers, beating Thailand by 87 runs.

— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) April 17, 2025

PAKISTAN WOMENS TEAM HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE WOMENS ODI WORLD CUP 2025 IN INDIA !!! 🎉👏💯
CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HYBRID MODEL REPLICATING THAT TOO FOR THE WOMENS TEAM!!! #WWCQualifiers #WomensWorldCup

— 🇵🇰 | Hassan™🏏🎮 (@HassanEmpire007) April 17, 2025

Fantastic achievement by Pakistan women cricket team. Well played.
They have qualified for Women’s ODI World Cup, to be held in India later this year, Pakistan will play all their matches at a neutral venue.

— 𝐍.𝐃.𝐑 (@SirAnnDee) April 17, 2025

Women PCT qualified for the World cup without any loss Masha'Allah
I hope the WC also goes well for us Insha'Allah

— Saba. 🇵🇸 (@JaaneJahaann) April 17, 2025

Pakistan women team Qualified for up coming women world. Cup 👏👏

Now it's time the host will realize how it's to travel outside of the country and mess other hosting a event #BackOurGirls

— Shahzaib (@Shahzoo_khi) April 17, 2025

Congratulations to our women’s cricket team.Not only did you qualify, but now all of Pakistan’s matches will have to be held outside India. The nation is proud of you.#WCQ #PakistanCricket https://t.co/FFoY0WttGH

— Kiran Khan (@HelloKiranKhan) April 17, 2025

After the disappointing tour of the England Women's team in the Ashes series against the hosts, the Australia Women's team lost the 3-match ODI series in a clean sweep, followed by another clean sweep in the 3-match T20 series. They also lost the one-match Test series.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed the fixtures for the England Women's cricket team, who will host the West Indies Women's team for a 3-match ODI and a 3-match T20 series, starting from May 21st to end June 7th, 2025.

This series will be the next major tour for the England Women's team after the Ashes, as some players will be participating in the Women's Premier League (WPL), which starts on February 14th. Following that, the English women's side will focus on this series.

Also Read: India vs. England ODI Series 2025: Schedule, Squads, Probable Playing XI, When & Where to Watch

West Indies Women Tour of England 2025 Schedule

Squads for West Indies Women Tour of England 2025

England Women vs. West Indies Women 2025 Series: Live Streaming Details

The West Indies Women vs. England Women 2025 series will be aired live on the Sony Sports Network in India, while the live streaming will be available on Sony LIV.

How to Buy Tickets

Tickets for the matches can be purchased online through official platforms like the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) website or via other authorized ticket vendors. These sites and authorized vendors open their windows for a limited time, so it's important to purchase tickets once they go on sale.