PCB's double standards exposed as Pakistan Women's A team allowed to face India A on February 15: Report

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have reportedly not given any instructions to the Pakistan Women's A team regarding their clash against India Women's A in the Asia Cup Rising Stars. According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the preparation for the match is going as per the schedule and the two teams are looking set to lock horns on February 15. However, the PCB have boycotted the T20 World Cup clash against India that is set to be held on the same date.

The tournament will begin soon

The Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars is all set to begin from February 13 and will be held in Bangkok. The tournament will kick-off with the clash between Pakistan and Nepal. A total of eight teams are participating in the tournament and India has been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Nepal and UAE. The second group consists of Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Malaysia.

While the clash between India and Pakistan in the Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars is expected to take place, the same cannot be said about the match between the two teams in the men's T20 World Cup. The arch-rivals were scheduled to face each other on February 15 at the R. Premadasa stadium in Colombo, but the Pakistan government has instructed the team to not take the field against India.

ALSO READ: 'They are not in the same league...': Sanjay Manjrekar explains why IND vs PAK clash is 'not a big deal' anymore

“The government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan cricket team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026, however, the Pakistan cricket team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India,” a post of the government’s X account read.

India's squad for the competition

Meanwhile, India have announced their squad for the Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars and have handed captaincy duties to Radha Yadav, who was a part of the team that won the 2025 Women's World Cup. Additionally, though both Deeya Yadav and Mamta M have been added to the squad, their participation in the tournament will be subject to clearance from BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE).

India A squad for Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars: Humairaa Kaazi, Vrinda Dinesh, Anushka Sharma, Deeya Yadav, Tejal Hasabnis, Nandani Kashyap (wk), Mamta M (wk), Radha Yadav (c), Sonia Mendhiya, Minnu Mani, Tanuja Kanwer, Prema Rawat, Saima Thakor, Jintamani Kalita, Nandani Sharma.