Sri Lanka will co-host the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup – Cricket for the Blind, alongside India in November 2025, in what is being hailed as a landmark moment for inclusive sport and women’s cricket globally.
The announcement was made at a high-profile press conference held in Colombo on Wednesday, where Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, described the event as a “defining moment” for the nation and for the sport. He praised the athletes for their courage.
“To play without sight demands extraordinary strength and resilience. This tournament honours that spirit and unites us as a nation,” he said.
Organised by the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) in partnership with the Sri Lanka Cricket Association for the Visually Handicapped, the tournament will feature seven teams — Australia, England, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the USA — competing in 21 league matches, followed by two semi-finals and a grand finale.
The tournament will begin with an opening ceremony and five matches in New Delhi (11–13 November), followed by four matches in Bengaluru (14–16 November).
The final leg, including 15 matches, the semi-finals, and the grand final — will take place in Colombo from 14 to 23 November, concluding with a closing ceremony.
Dr Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar, Chairman of CABI, called the tournament a “game-changing moment” for women’s blind cricket and urged the public and sponsors to rally behind the athletes.
M.R. Sudesh Tharanga, President of the Sri Lanka Cricket Association for the Visually Handicapped, said the island nation was proud to play host as it’s a defining moment for our players and a bold step for the sport in this region.
Leave a comment