The tournament is being played in India (with Pakistan’s matches in Colombo as neutral venue).
All match officials (umpires and referees) for the tournament form an all-female panel, a first for an ICC women’s ODI World Cup.
Prize money has been significantly increased: total prize pot ~$13.88 million, with the women’s winner to receive ~$4.48 million — this is higher than the winner’s share in the Men’s 2023 World Cup.
Fan interest is booming. Matches involving India vs Australia and India vs England have sold out (15,087 and 17,859 tickets respectively).
Major Matches & Highlights
England vs Sri Lanka England beat Sri Lanka by 89 runs in Colombo. Nat Sciver-Brunt scored 117 off a run-a-ball, anchoring the innings. The Guardian Sri Lanka were 89/1 at one point but collapsed after Sophie Ecclestone (4-for 17) spun the match away.
Australia vs India (Visakhapatnam, 12 October 2025) This match produced history: Australia chased down 331, the highest successful run chase in a women’s ODI.
Alyssa Healy played a captain’s knock: 142 off 107 balls (21 fours, 3 sixes).
She opened with Phoebe Litchfield; their 85-run stand laid the foundation before Litchfield fell for ~40.
Later, Ellyse Perry returned from injury and sealed the chase with a six.
India’s top order (Mandhana, Rawal) had led with a strong opening partnership, but late wickets swung momentum.
Mandhana’s knock of 80 made her the fastest Indian woman to 5,000 ODI runs (in terms of innings).
After this loss, India are under pressure: with 4 points in 4 matches, they must win all remaining games to enter the semi-finals.
England vs Bangladesh England had a tricky run chase, slipping to 78/5, but Heather Knight played an unbeaten 79, aided by three successful review overturns, and rescued her side for a 4-wicket win.
South Africa vs Bangladesh In another close game, South Africa edged Bangladesh by 3 wickets. After being 78/5, a key partnership between Chloe Tryon (62) and Marizanne Kapp (56) turned the match around.
India vs Pakistan India beat Pakistan by 88 runs in Colombo. India posted ~247 and then bowled Pakistan out on a slow pitch. Harleen Deol top-scored with 46, and Richa Ghosh played a quick 35*.
Tactical & Team Developments
India’s coach has publicly said that the reliance on a five-bowler strategy might need rethinking, especially after recent defeats.
According to the “State of Play” from ICC, England are sitting top with 6 points (3 wins) and +1.864 net run rate, while India are third (4 pts, +0.682), just ahead of South Africa.
The semi-final qualification fight is intensifying: Australia, England, and India are in contention, with New Zealand, South Africa, and Bangladesh fighting to break in.
🏏 Other Major Tournaments & Series
Men’s ODI — 2025 UAE Tri-Nation Series (Round 15 of CWC League 2)
The 15th round of the 2024–26 Cricket World Cup League 2 will take place from 26 October to 5 November 2025 in UAE, featuring UAE, Nepal, and USA.
Each match in this series is a One Day International, contributing to qualification pathways for the 2027 World Cup.
UAE recently changed captains: Rahul Chopra will lead UAE while Muhammad Waseem steps down.
UAE Women’s Tour of Papua New Guinea
The UAE Women’s team are touring Papua New Guinea in October 2025 to play 4 ODIs — the first bilateral WOMEN’s ODI series between the two nations.
⚠️ Governance, External & Regional Updates
PCB & Afghanistan Tri-Series uncertainty Due to mounting tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has asked the ICC to prepare contingency plans in case Afghanistan’s participation in an upcoming T20 Tri-Series (Nov 17–29) falls through.
VPCI Tri-Nations League (UAE) In the UAE, a new semi-professional VPCI Tri-Nations League has been launched, spanning September to October, featuring 16 city-based teams and over 450 players.
