New Delhi: In what comes as a major development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to take a major step with regards to the India-Pakistan clash at the T20 World Cup 2026. Fans might not be able to witness the high-octane match even at the big ICC stage as the global governing body is planning to keep both the teams in different groups.
The same would be discussed in the Annual General Meating (AGM) from July 17 to 20 in Singapore. According to a report in news agency PTI, Indian cricket board BCCI is unlikely to support the group-stage clash between the arch-rivals at the showpiece event keeping in mind the ongoing tensions between both the countries after Pakistani terrorist killed 26 innocent people in Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22.
ICC to scrap the tradition?
Traditionally, India and Pakistan have been placed in the same group in big ICC events, ensuring a massive face-off during the group stage. However, the ICC may now deviate from that norm amid deteriorating relations between the two countries.
If this decision comes into place, the two teams only have a chance to meet if both reach the knockout rounds of the event. This would be discussed in the AGM and will be among the main topics apart from other key things.
‘The issue is bound to come up for discussion at the annual conference. While prospect of India and Pakistan not playing in ICC knockouts is unlikely, not drawing them in the same group, which has been the norm at ICC events, is a possibility,’ a source in the BCCI told PTI.
The BCCI is also thinking of withdrawal from the Asia Cup 2025 which is slated to be held in the month of September. While India last toured Pakistan back in 2008, both the countries last met in a cricket match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 where the Men in Blue defeated the Men in Green by 6 wickets.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to take a major step with regards to the India-Pakistan clash at the T20 World Cup 2026. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
