ICC likely to keep India and Pakistan in seperate groups in T20 World Cup 2026: Report

T20 World Cup 2026: India and Pakistan to be in separate groups. (Photo: PTI)

The Suryakumar Yadav-led Men in Blue are unlikely to be paired with Pakistan in the ICC event when India and Sri Lanka host the Men's T20 World Cup in February 2026. However, when the members gather for the annual conference, which is set for July 17–20 in Singapore, the Apex body will make the final decision.

India and Pakistan's international cricket meetings are now limited to ICC competitions due to political tensions between the two countries. However, there have been rumors about the future of their competition in ICC events following the April 22 terrorist assault in Pahalgam and the ensuing military confrontation between the two neighboring countries. The two teams are not likely to be paired together in international competitions, beginning with the T20 World Cup the following year, according to a PTI report.

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"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 BCCI source told the news agency.

Jay Shah, the chairman of the ICC and a former secretary of the BCCI, will be attending the annual conference for the first time since taking over in December last year.

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Over the past few years, BCCI and PCB have been at odds. The PCB was forced to implement a hybrid approach in 2023 as the Indian board refused to allow the Rohit Sharma-led team to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. As a result, Sri Lanka hosted all of India's matches and the majority of the knockout stages. When the hybrid format was employed to host India's matches in Dubai for the Champions Trophy earlier this year, the Pakistani board suffered the same consequences. India won both championships, and the final was held outside of Pakistan both times.

The 2026 Women's World Cup will begin on September 29 in India, and the 2026 T20 World Cup is still a long way off. In the tournament, it is unclear if the two countries will face one another.

In the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist incident, which killed 26 tourists because of their faith, the BCCI has taken a firm stand on the matter and is likely to stick to the Indian government's position.