India may play in UAE as Pakistan prepares to host 2028 women’s T20 World Cup

Pakistan is preparing to host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028, but India’s matches could take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under the hybrid hosting arrangement between the two cricketing rivals. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the 12-team tournament will run from September 7 to October 1, 2028, with Pakistan named as the host.

However, the venue for India’s matches has not yet been finalised. The UAE, particularly Dubai, has emerged as a potential option because of its proximity to Pakistan and the logistical advantages it could offer. Any final decision will rest with the ICC.

The development could shape the tournament’s venue plan, including the knockout stage, as Pakistan looks to host as many matches as possible on home soil.

Pakistan wants to host most matches of women’s T20 World Cup 2028

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is keen to stage the tournament in Pakistan while following the existing arrangement for matches involving India. According to reports citing a PCB official, Pakistan wants to host matches from both groups, along with knockout fixtures that do not involve the Indian team.

Under this proposed arrangement, India’s matches would be played at a neutral venue, while other fixtures could take place in Pakistan. The UAE is being considered because flights between Pakistan and Dubai are relatively short, potentially reducing travel time and tournament logistics costs.

For Pakistan, hosting a major ICC women’s event would represent an important opportunity to showcase its cricket infrastructure and bring international attention to the women’s game. The tournament could also generate economic activity through hospitality, travel and other event-related services.

However, the reported venue plan should not be mistaken for a final tournament schedule. The ICC has confirmed the hosting arrangement and the dates, but the precise locations for India’s fixtures and the knockout matches remain subject to official decisions.

Why could India play in the UAE?

The possibility of India playing in the UAE comes from the hybrid model agreed upon by India and Pakistan for major international cricket events.

Under this arrangement, when either country hosts a relevant ICC or Asian Cricket Council tournament, the other team plays its matches at a designated neutral venue. The ICC confirmed in December 2024 that neutral-venue arrangements would apply to the relevant events in the 2024-27 rights cycle and to the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup hosted by Pakistan.

The arrangement was implemented during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Although Pakistan hosted the tournament, India played all its matches in the UAE, with Dubai serving as its venue. India eventually won the title after defeating New Zealand in the final, while Pakistan staged 10 of the tournament’s 15 matches.

That experience provides a practical precedent for the 2028 women’s tournament. The UAE already has experience hosting international cricket, and Dubai offers established facilities for teams, officials and broadcasters.

Nevertheless, the previous arrangement does not automatically confirm Dubai as India’s venue in 2028. The ICC must finalise the venue plan for the women’s competition.

Could the Women’s T20 World Cup final be held in Lahore?

The knockout stage could become a key part of the venue discussions, particularly if India progresses deep into the competition.

According to reports citing a PCB official, Pakistan would like to host the final in Lahore if India does not qualify for the title match. That would allow the country to stage the tournament’s biggest fixture in front of home supporters.

If India reaches the final, however, the neutral-venue arrangement could affect where the match is played. The precise implications will depend on the ICC’s final tournament and venue decisions.

The same consideration applies to the semifinals. If India reaches the knockout stage, the organisers will need a venue plan that complies with the agreed arrangement while allowing the competition to proceed smoothly.

For now, Lahore remains a possible option under Pakistan’s reported plan, not a confirmed venue for the final. Cricket fans will need to wait for the ICC to announce the official schedule and knockout arrangements.

A major opportunity for women’s cricket in Pakistan

Hosting the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup would give Pakistan an opportunity to strengthen its position in international women’s cricket.

A major tournament can bring greater visibility to the national team, create opportunities for young players and encourage more girls to take up the sport. It can also help generate interest among broadcasters, sponsors and supporters.

For the PCB, the event would involve much more than staging matches. Organisers would need to coordinate venues, team accommodation, transport, security, training facilities and arrangements for international media.

Hosting the competition would also involve financial support from the ICC, including event-related funding and hosting arrangements. The overall benefits would depend on the final event plan, expenditure and commercial performance.

Pakistan’s challenge will be to deliver a smooth tournament while accommodating the neutral-venue requirement for India. A well-organised event could provide a valuable platform for the country’s women cricketers and help grow the game at home.

When will the Women’s T20 World Cup 2028 take place?

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028 is scheduled for September 7 to October 1, 2028. The competition will feature 12 teams competing for the world title, with Pakistan serving as the host.

The qualification pathway includes places for leading teams from the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, the host nation where applicable, teams selected through the ICC Women’s T20I rankings and qualifiers. The final list of participating teams will depend on the qualification rules and results.

The tournament will be another important event in the expansion of women’s international cricket. With more teams competing and the global calendar continuing to grow, the 2028 edition will provide an opportunity for established sides and emerging teams to compete on a major stage.

The men’s T20 World Cup is also scheduled for later in 2028, with Australia and New Zealand set to host the tournament from October 12 to November 12.

What happens next?

The main question now is where India will play its matches and how the ICC will distribute the knockout fixtures between Pakistan and the neutral venue.

The UAE appears to be a practical candidate, but no final venue announcement has been made. Pakistan is keen to host the matches that do not involve India, and Lahore could feature prominently in the plan if the Indian team does not reach the final.

Until the ICC releases further details, the UAE option and the proposed Lahore final should be treated as reported possibilities rather than confirmed arrangements.

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