Daijiworld Media Network – Guwahati

Guwahati, Sep 6: Pakistan will not attend the opening ceremony of the ICC Women’s World Cup scheduled in Guwahati on September 30, according to Geo Super. The grand event will precede the tournament opener between hosts India and Sri Lanka, with celebrated playback singer Shreya Ghoshal set to enthrall spectators with her performance.

Sources told Geo News that neither skipper Fatima Sana nor any other Pakistani representative will travel to India for the ceremony. The move is seen as part of a recent policy under which India and Pakistan have agreed not to cross borders for ICC tournaments over the next three years.

Due to the strained political ties, India has not toured Pakistan since 2008. Earlier this year, when Pakistan hosted the Champions Trophy, India refused to cross the border, citing geopolitical tensions.

Pakistan’s matches will instead be staged in Colombo, including potential semi-final and final appearances. The team, led by Fatima Sana, will begin its campaign against Bangladesh on October 2, with the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash set for October 5.

Pakistan qualified for the World Cup after going unbeaten in the qualifiers it hosted, winning all five matches to secure its berth in the tournament.