Cricket’s most anticipated rivalry is set to skip the group stage spotlight at the 2026 ICC T20I World Cup, as Pakistan and India are expected to be placed in separate groups for the tournament, according to a report by Geo News.
The decision, while not yet officially confirmed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), follows a brief conflict between the two nations that has severely strained cricketing ties once more.
Set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the 2026 T20 World Cup was already expected to follow a hybrid model, with Pakistan not playing any of their games in India. With their groups now split, it means the two will not face off unless in the knockout rounds of the competition. Given the enormous hype and commercial weight a Pakistan-India fixture carries, organizers are likely to preserve the possibility of a marquee clash later in the tournament, even if it is unsavory for everyone involved.
The last time Pakistan and India faced off in a T20 World Cup group stage was in 2024 in New York, a record-breaking match watched by over 400 million viewers globally. That contest ended in a dramatic victory for India, and while fans have come to expect these encounters as staples of ICC events, the trend of keeping them apart early may continue for some time.
While the Pakistan-India clash in the T20I World Cup is sorted, a similar issue may present itself in the upcoming 2025 Asia Cup, which serves as a tune-up for the World Championship. Pakistan and India are likely to be in separate pots there as well, if the tournament goes ahead.
Though a Pakistan-India clash is arguably the biggest draw in world cricket, fans may have to wait until the late stages of the competition to see the two collide. But when they do, it will almost certainly be worth the wait.