South Africa series in Lahore, two ICC World Cups, and expanded domestic schedule announced
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a comprehensive and action-filled schedule for the women’s 2025–26 cricket season, featuring a mix of international fixtures, domestic tournaments, and development pathways for emerging talent.
Pathways & Youth Development
The season will kick off with a strong focus on youth. The National Women’s U19 T20 Tournament will be held in Karachi from 15 September to 6 October 2025. Top performers will then join a three-week skills development camp, followed by a pre-departure camp for the Pakistan U19 team’s T20 tour to Bangladesh in December.
International Fixtures
Pakistan’s senior women’s team begins the international season with a T20I series in Ireland from 6 to 10 August 2025. This will be followed by a high-profile home ODI series against South Africa at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on 16, 19, and 22 September, as part of preparations for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka and India.
Pakistan will play their World Cup league matches from 2 to 24 October. If they qualify, the semi-final and final will be held on 29 October and 2 November, respectively, in Colombo.
In early 2026, Pakistan will tour South Africa for a bilateral series comprising three ODIs (part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2025–29 cycle) and three T20Is, scheduled from 7 February to 2 March.
In April, Zimbabwe will visit Pakistan for a six-match white-ball series—three ODIs and three T20Is—from 24 April to 11 May. Exact venues will be confirmed later.
As part of their build-up to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England (12 June to 5 July), Pakistan will participate in a tri-nation T20I series in Ireland alongside the hosts and West Indies.
Domestic Tournaments
The domestic calendar will feature the National Women’s One-Day Tournament in Karachi from 6 to 24 November 2025, followed by the National Women’s T20 Tournament from 24 March to 17 April 2026. These competitions will follow double-league formats with strong representation from international players.
Additionally, the HEC Inter-University Championship is set to take place in October 2025, providing further competitive opportunities at the grassroots level.
Official Statement
Head of Women’s Cricket, Rafia Haider, emphasized the board’s long-term vision:
“The 2025–26 calendar is designed to ensure our women cricketers are consistently engaged with high-quality domestic and international cricket. The expanded Pathways structure will continue to nurture future stars. With the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and T20 World Cup approaching, our preparations are geared toward enabling strong performances on the global stage.”
Summary of Key Fixtures – 2025–26
International Matches:
- 3 T20Is vs Ireland (Dublin) – 6–10 August 2025
- 3 ODIs vs South Africa (Lahore) – 16, 19 & 22 September 2025
- ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup – 30 September to 2 November 2025
- 3 ODIs & 3 T20Is vs South Africa (away) – 7 February to 2 March 2026
- 3 ODIs & 3 T20Is vs Zimbabwe – 24 April to 11 May 2026
- Tri-nation T20I Series in Ireland (with West Indies) – May/June 2026
- ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England – 12 June to 5 July 2026
Domestic Competitions:
- National Women’s One-Day Tournament – 6 to 24 November 2025 (Karachi)
- National Women’s T20 Tournament – 24 March to 17 April 2026 (Karachi)
- HEC Inter-University Tournament – October 2025
Pathways:
- U19 National Women’s T20 Tournament – 15 September to 6 October 2025 (Karachi)
- Pakistan U19 tour to Bangladesh – December 2025
The upcoming season reflects PCB’s commitment to building depth, creating competitive opportunities, and ensuring Pakistan’s women’s cricket continues its upward trajectory on the international stage.
