New twist in Women’s World Cup: Pakistan skips opening ceremony and captain’s photoshoot in India

The Women’s World Cup is just days away, with excitement building for the premier 50-over event. The Women’s World Cup kicks off on September 30 with the opening match between India and Sri Lanka in Guwahati. Fans are eager to witness high-quality cricket as the best teams from around the world compete for the prestigious title.

The ICC confirmed that renowned singer Shreya Ghoshal will grace the Women’s World Cup opening ceremony with a live performance, adding glamour and excitement to the event. Scheduled at the ACA Stadium, the event promises a vibrant kickoff, featuring music, entertainment, and celebrations to set an exciting atmosphere as the tournament officially begins.

However, not all teams will be part of the festivities. As reported by Geo News, Pakistan has decided to skip the opening ceremony. Furthermore, their skipper, Fatima Sana, will not travel to India, meaning the team will also miss the traditional captain’s photoshoot.

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Pakistan Women’s Skipper to Skip the Opening Ceremony:

A spectacular opening ceremony is planned ahead of the tournament’s first match, bringing together all participating teams. Traditionally, the event includes a joint press conference and a trophy photoshoot with the captains, offering fans a chance to see the leaders of each team together. It serves as a formal launch for the tournament and adds excitement ahead of the matches.

However, Geo News reports that Pakistan’s captain, Fatima Sana, will not travel to India for the event. This decision follows the “fusion formula” set for the tournament, which ensures that neither India nor Pakistan will cross the border for any ICC event over the next three years. As a result, Pakistan will skip the opening ceremony and related team activities in India.

The Women’s World Cup is set to take place across India and Sri Lanka, with Pakistan hosting all its games in Colombo. The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan match is scheduled for October 5 in Colombo, ensuring the rivalry continues despite the tournament’s split venues.

Should Pakistan advance to the semi-finals or final of the Women’s World Cup, those matches will take place at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium. The team will kick off their tournament journey with a clash against Bangladesh on October 2, aiming to make a strong start in the competition.

The agreement was established ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, after India declined to visit Pakistan for the eight-team event, leading to the current arrangement preventing cross-border travel between the two teams for upcoming ICC tournaments.

Shreya Ghoshal to Headline World Cup Opening Ceremony:

Shreya Ghoshal has also lent her voice to the official anthem of the Women’s World Cup, titled ‘Bring It Home’. She will perform live at the opening ceremony, bringing music that celebrates the energy, passion, and togetherness of women’s cricket on the global stage. Fans can look forward to a memorable start to the tournament with her performance.

The Women’s World Cup, returning to India after 12 years, will be held from September 30 to November 2 this year. The event promises thrilling matches as the top teams from across the globe compete for the prestigious title.