The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has written to the Indian government seeking permission to host Pakistan women’s team for a ODI series this year. The series will be part of International Cricket Council’s Women’s Championship and will determine the team’s qualification for the Women’s World Cup in 2021.

“As regards to playing Pakistan in India, we have always taken government’s view point. I am not saying what the government will say and what will we react. First, let them react,” Vinod Rai, Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) chief, said.

With political tension prevailing between the two countries, the Board finds itself in a tricky situation.

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In a letter sent to the sports ministry on May 29, BCCI general manager (cricket operations) Saba Karim has explained the board's position.

“We have written to the government for permission, let’s see what they decide. It is not a bilateral series. It is part of ICC Championships, it’s for the qualification of the team for the World Cup, so those points are there. At the ICC’s meeting in New Zealand, it was decided that if it's a genuine reason, the points could be shared,” another CoA member and former India captain, Diana Edulji, said.

In the ICC Women's Championship, teams need to play each other on a home and away basis. The points system of this tournament determines the ranking of the teams to qualify for the World Cup.

As per the schedule of the event, India will host the Pakistan women's team for at least three ODIs in India between July and November.

As per the rule, the top four teams and host New Zealand will qualify directly for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in 2021, the remaining three teams will play in the World Cup Qualifier next year.