Why Pakistan Will Not Play Champions Trophy 2027 To Be Hosted By India?

Pakistan vs India Women's Match - (Source: AFP)

Women’s cricket is on a path of rapid growth, and getting a Champions Trophy is the latest moment to celebrate and rejoice. Notably, the inaugural edition of the Women’s Champions Trophy will be held in February 2027 in India. 

6 teams will take part in the inaugural tournament, but Pakistan will be a major absentee. The Fatima Sana-led side won’t be playing the Champions Trophy in India, and the fans are curious. Therefore, this article will shed light on the reason why Pakistan are not playing the Champions Trophy 2027.

India’s Hosting Rights Not A Reason Behind Exclusion

For the unversed, Sri Lanka were supposed to host the upcoming Champions Trophy. However, Island Nation were stripped of their hosting rights. In March 2021, the ICC announced a historic Women’s Champions Trophy to be played in 2027. Just over a year later, SLC won the hosting rights for the inaugural tournament

Recently, the Sri Lankan government has been actively involved in SLC’s administration through the SLC Transformation Committee. The committee oversees reforms to the board and has also proposed changes to its constitution and governance structure. The intervention didn’t go well with the ICC, and they relocated the tournament to India.

However, the decision to relocate the tournament to India is not the reason behind Pakistan's absence, rather Pakistan have failed to qualify for the event.

Pakistan's Poor T20I Ranking Behind Absence From Champions Trophy 2027

Notably, the qualification process for Champions Trophy 2027 is simple. The hosts recieves automatic qualification, while the five top-ranked T20I teams fill the remaining five spots.

Earlier, Sri Lanka were the hosts, but now India have earned a direct qualification as the hosts. Further, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka are the next best-ranked teams, which is why they will take part in 2027 Champions Trophy.

Talking about The Women in Green, the Fatima Sana-led side are placed 8th on the table and won't take part in the upcoming prestigious event. 

Also Read: India Secure Champions Trophy 2027 Hosting Rights, Venues Confirmed

T20 World Cup Exit further weakens Pakistan's claim

Before the start of 2026 T20 World Cup in June, Pakistan were placed 8th on the ICC rankings. If the Women in Green performed well in that event, they would have entered the top 5 in rankings, which would have also secured their Champions Trophy qualification.

However, Pakistan registered a disastrous campaign. They were kept in the same group as India. It was a six-team group, where the Fatima Sana-led side finished 5th on the table.

In 5 matches, the Women in Green managed just a solitary victory over Netherlands. Other than that, the Asian side suffered crushing defeats against India, South Africa, Australia, and even Bangladesh, which was one of the biggest upsets in the entire tournament.

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