India-Pakistan in Separate Groups in ICC Events Starting From T20 World Cup 2026

The future of India-Pakistan matches in ICC competitions has been uncertain due to recent tensions between the two countries. Whether India and Pakistan will play each other in future events, including the T20 World Cup 2026, will be discussed at the International Cricket Council's annual convention.

Pakistan's unjustified onslaught on India's frontiers has caused relations between the two countries to drop to a new low. Operation Sindoor was started by India to target terrorist organizations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

This has increased conjecture on the future of cricket matches between India and Pakistan at ICC events. Diplomatic relations remain tense despite an official ceasefire between India and Pakistan. This strained relationship is expected to impact cricket between the two countries, especially in upcoming tournaments.

ICC set to discuss India vs Pakistan matches' future

The July 17–20 meeting of the International Cricket Council is expected to include a significant decision for the future of India-Pakistan matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup. During ICC competitions, the two sides have frequently been assigned to the same group.

However, given the present political tensions and the uncertainty surrounding their cricket matches, the ICC may decide not to pair India and Pakistan together this time, according to a PTI report.

Only if both India and Pakistan advance to the knockout rounds are they expected to face each other in the tournament.

"The issue is bound to come up for discussion at the annual conference. While the 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.

With India’s Jay Shah currently serving as chairman of the ICC, the BCCI continues to be the most powerful organization in world cricket. Shah will attend the ICC annual conference for the first time since taking over as head in December.

BCCI urged to sever cricketing ties with PCB, ending all India v. Pakistan matches

Supporters and experts have been putting more and more pressure on the BCCI to ban Pakistan from international cricket. India exclusively plays Pakistan in ACC and ICC competitions, like the World Cups, and hasn't played a bilateral series against them since 2012–2013.

The Asian Cup 2025 is scheduled for September, but according to The Indian Express, the BCCI will not participate since Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan's interior minister, is in charge of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). The competition can be canceled as a result of this.

No discussion on Asia Cup pull-out claims BCCI secretary

Devajit Saikia, secretary of the BCCI, has refuted these rumors, stating that the board has not yet made any decisions regarding the Asia Cup and is instead focusing on finishing the IPL 2025 and the forthcoming India-England series.

A hybrid concept for ICC events held in either nation until 2027 has been agreed upon by India and Pakistan. As part of this agreement, India played their matches in Dubai during the 2025 Champions Trophy, which Pakistan hosted.

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