The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 crowned a new champion in Mumbai when India lifted their maiden title, defeating first-time finalists South Africa by 52 runs. But while the tournament marked milestones for others, it delivered yet another sobering reality check for Pakistan: a fourth consecutive bottom-place finish in an eight-team event, and a sixth in seven appearances since their 1997 debut.

That statistic alone tells a painful story of stagnation. When Pakistan’s journey is viewed alongside South Africa’s, the contrast could not be starker. The Proteas, who finished seventh (2005, 2009) and sixth (2013), have since reached back-to-back semi-finals (2017, 2022) before contesting their first-ever final this year. They have evolved. Pakistan, sadly, have not.

Even Bangladesh outperformed Pakistan this time, finishing seventh after defeating them by seven wickets in their opening match. Sri Lanka, who missed the 2022 tournament, secured fifth place. The regional hierarchy is shifting – and Pakistan has been left behind.

Admittedly, rain did Pakistan no favours in this campaign. Three of their seven league matches ended without a result, but the performances in the remaining four were deeply concerning: 129 all out against Bangladesh (lost by seven wickets), 159 against India (lost by 88 runs), 114 versus Australia (lost by 107 runs), and 83 for seven in 20 overs against South Africa (lost by 150 runs on DLS).

In total, Pakistan’s batters managed just 519 runs in the tournament – fewer than South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt alone, who finished with 571. India’s Deepti Sharma, with 22 wickets, claimed more than half as many as the entire Pakistan squad combined, which managed 40.

The team’s campaign was further complicated by political realities. While India hosted the tournament, Pakistan’s matches were staged in Colombo under a special arrangement between the PCB, BCCI, and ICC. The compromise, though diplomatically sound, carried sporting consequences. The weather in Colombo was unforgiving, and Pakistan’s three no-results included a likely win against England, where they had reduced the four-time world champions to 79 for seven before rain intervened. A rare moment of ascendancy was washed away.

If there were tactical lapses on the field, the administrative and structural ones off it were even more glaring.

Pakistan’s last domestic 50-over competition was held in November–December 2024, followed by World Cup qualifiers in Lahore in April 2025 and a three-match ODI series against South Africa in September. The gap between domestic activity and global competition was telling, exposing the lack of rhythm, match intensity, and player readiness.

What was even more baffling was the PCB’s decision to schedule a national 50-over women’s tournament for November 2025 – after the World Cup. As former captain and ICC Hall of Famer Sana Mir pointedly asked on X: “Why would anyone schedule a national 50-over tournament at the same time when the ODI World Cup is happening? Why not before?” Her question captures the heart of Pakistan’s recurring problem: poor planning and misplaced priorities.

The PCB’s response – that the event marked the start of a new domestic season – missed the point entirely. The issue was not the calendar year but the absence of strategic alignment between domestic cricket and international demands.

And this misalignment continues: instead of switching immediately to a T20 focus ahead of the next ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in mid-2026, the board has planned another 50-over tournament this month. The emphasis on 50-over matches so soon after one World Cup and ahead of a different format’s global event reflects the same confusion that has long hindered women’s cricket in Pakistan: activity mistaken for planning.

It is easy to place blame on the coaching staff, and the sacking of head coach Mohammad Wasim may well serve as a convenient short-term gesture. But it will not address the deeper issue: Pakistan’s limited pool of quality, technically sound, and physically prepared players.

Over the past couple of decades, the team has been led by several coaches, including Sahib Azhar, Mohtashim Rasheed, David Hemp and Mark Coles. Yet the outcomes have scarcely changed. Without a stronger domestic foundation, no coach, however skilled, can produce results overnight.

Credit must be given where it is due – the PCB has shown willingness to invest in women’s cricket, offering central contracts to 30 players, including four in Category A. But money without direction achieves little.

The long-delayed Women’s League, first proposed in 2022, has yet to materialize. A well-structured league could transform the landscape by exposing players to higher competition, professional conditioning, and international standards. Its continued absence speaks volumes about the pace and priority with which women’s cricket is treated.

The way forward requires more than budget allocations or symbolic gestures. The PCB needs a bold, forward-looking ten-year roadmap focused on three fundamentals: building a larger, competitive player base; aligning domestic structures with international formats; and ensuring professional exposure through sustained bilateral and franchise opportunities. Benchmarking against successful models – such as South Africa’s steady rise or Bangladesh’s efficient use of limited resources – can provide practical lessons.

Pakistan’s women’s team has the passion, but it needs structure. The next ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in mid-2026 offers a realistic opportunity to reset. But preparation must begin now, with intent, direction, and measurable targets. Without a comprehensive development plan, Pakistan risks not just underperforming but potentially missing qualification for the 2029 World Cup altogether. Remember, Ireland the West Indies missed out on the 2025 event and will be roaring to reclaim their spots in the next weeks.

The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 was a celebration of progress – India’s triumph, South Africa’s rise, and the global competitiveness of the women’s game. For Pakistan, it should serve as a wake-up call. A country with such cricketing heritage cannot afford to be a bystander in women’s cricket any longer. The question is no longer if the PCB will act, but how quickly and decisively it will do so.