Pakistan to skip opening ceremony, World Cup group matches in Colombo

Pakistan will not attend the opening ceremony of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in India on September 30 and will play all of its group matches in Colombo, organizers and Pakistani media reported on Saturday, as diplomatic tensions between the neighbouring countries continue to shape the tournament's arrangements. The Pakistan side, led by allrounder Fatima Sana, will instead begin its campaign in Sri Lanka against Bangladesh at the R. Premadasa Stadium on October 2.

Geo Super and other Pakistani outlets, cited by news agencies, reported that neither captain Fatima Sana nor any Pakistani officials will travel to Guwahati for the grand opening ceremony ahead of the India versus Sri Lanka opener. The move follows an understanding reached between the boards that teams from India and Pakistan will not cross into each other’s countries for ICC events over the next three years, a policy that influenced scheduling earlier this year during the Champions Trophy when India did not travel to Pakistan.

Fatima Sana, who was named Pakistan captain for the first time at a World Cup, has said she is determined to improve Pakistan's record at the tournament. Pakistan have appeared at five...