India, Pakistan in same group

MUMBAI: India will be out to defend its unbeaten record (12-0) at World Cups against Pakistan with the two arch-rivals again placed in the same group for the upcoming T20 World Cup in UAE. The ICC announced the groupings for the Super 12 phase on Friday with Group 2 to comprise India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Afghanistan and two more teams from Round 1 of the tournament—qualifying stage—that begins on October 17.

Bangladesh looks good to win the fifth Group 2 spot and the last one is likely to go to one of Sri Lanka or Ireland after their Round 1 fixtures. The tournament proper will begin with Super 12s where on paper, Group 1 has stiffer competition with defending champions West Indies, 2019 ODI champions England, Australia and South Africa pooled together.

The ICC statement said “groups (were) selected on the basis of team rankings as of 20 March 2021” but it’s no secret that as far as possible, they try to ensure that India and Pakistan face off at least once. It’s a game that continues to remain the biggest draw at World Cups.

“No doubt we want to try to put India versus Pakistan in our event. It’s fantastic for the tournament because it gives it a massive kick,” Dave Richardson, who was then the ICC chief executive, had said in 2016. “So long as the pools are balanced, it’s silly to avoid (that fixture) when you can fairly cater for it.” However, had it not been for the postponement of the World Cup, the two rivals would have been placed in different groups as they were No.1 and 2 in rankings.