Pakistan, India Could Be Placed in Same Group at 2027 ODI World Cup

Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail

Pakistan and India could find themselves in the same group at the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, according to media reports.

A meeting between the two traditional cricket rivals during the group stage would attract significant attention, given the large audiences that their matches have generated in previous international tournaments.

World Cup Schedule to Be Announced

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket South Africa are expected to reveal the official schedule in Cape Town on October 1, marking one year until the start of the tournament.

The 2027 ODI World Cup will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The tournament is scheduled to begin on October 2, 2027, while the final is set for November 21.

The expanded competition will feature 14 teams.

New Format for 2027 Tournament

The tournament is expected to use a revised format. The competition will begin with a preliminary stage involving the three lowest-ranked teams.

The 12 teams progressing from that stage will then be divided into two groups of six. The leading teams will subsequently advance to the Super 7 phase before the competition moves into the semifinals and final.

Pakistan-India Fixture Could Attract Major Attention

Pakistan and India have been placed in the same groups or drawn against each other in several recent ICC events.

Their matches traditionally generate substantial global interest, making any potential meeting at the 2027 World Cup an important fixture for broadcasters and commercial partners.

However, the final group composition and match schedule will only be confirmed once the ICC officially announces the tournament schedule.