As India and Sri Lanka prepare to co-host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in February 2026, it is increasingly likely that India and Pakistan will not be placed in the same group. While the final decision rests with the ICC, it is expected to be discussed during the annual ICC conference scheduled in Singapore from July 17 to 20, according to several reports.
Due to long-standing political tensions, India and Pakistan only face each other in global ICC tournaments. However, following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam and the subsequent military escalation between the two countries, questions have been raised about the future of their cricketing encounters – even in neutral venues.
According to a PTI report, the ICC is unlikely to place the two rivals in the same group for upcoming global events, starting with the 2026 T20 World Cup. ICC Chairman Jay Shah, who previously served as BCCI secretary, will attend the annual conference – his first since taking on the top role in December 2024.
Ongoing Tensions Between BCCI and PCB
The strained relationship between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has further complicated tournament planning. In 2023, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, prompting the PCB to implement a hybrid hosting model. As a result, all of India’s matches and most of the tournament’s knockout stages were held in Sri Lanka.
A similar arrangement was used for the Champions Trophy earlier this year, with India’s games shifted to Dubai and the final also played outside Pakistan. On both occasions, India emerged as the tournament champion.
As discussions continue behind the scenes, it remains clear that geopolitical tensions will continue to cast a shadow over one of cricket’s most intense rivalries.
