Will India & Pakistan clash again in T20 World Cup 2026?
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India thrashed Pakistan by 61 runs in their group-stage match of ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
India’s dominant run in the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 has been nothing short of spectacular. The Men in Blue remained unbeaten, securing convincing wins over all opponents in Group A, including a crushing 61-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in Colombo.
India have had every player put their hand up when needed, with notable contributions from all batters barring Abhishek Sharma so far. With the best bowling attack of the competition, Team India look well-placed to defend their title.
Pakistan, on the other hand, faced a must-win scenario in their final group match against Namibia. They delivered emphatically, beating Namibia by 102 runs. Sahibzada Farhan’s unbeaten century powered Pakistan to 199/3, before the bowlers, led by Usman Tariq’s four-fer, bundled out Namibia for just 97.
Will India & Pakistan clash again in T20 World Cup 2026?
Both India and Pakistan have qualified for the Super 8. The ICC’s Super 8 format places them in separate groups to avoid repeat encounters and deliver new matchups. India headline Group 1 alongside South Africa, West Indies, and Zimbabwe, while Pakistan are in Group 2 with England, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka.
Every team plays the other three teams of their respective groups. Hence with no cross-group matches, the two sides will not meet in the Super 8 round-robin.
A showdown can happen in the semi-finals if both advance as top-two finishers in complementary positions. This means that either India should top their group, and Pakistan should finish second in their pool, or vice-versa. Both teams finishing at the same position of their respective groups would prevent a direct semi-final between these two arch-rivals.
As per schedule, the first semi-final will take place on March 4. If Pakistan qualify for the semis, then they will play their match on March 4 in Colombo. If Pakistan fail to qualify, this knockout match will be held in Kolkata at the Eden Gardens.
Should both team finish at the same position in their respective groups, the only way they can then meet is in the finals. If Pakistan reach the championship match, then it would be held at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, on March 8.
Will India and Pakistan face each other again in T20 World Cup 2026?
Not in the Super 8. Both are placed in different Super 8 groups and can only meet in the semi-finals or final.
What result is needed for an India–Pakistan semi-final in T20 World Cup 2026?
One team must finish first in its Super 8 group while the other finishes second in the opposite group. Same-position finishes would rule out a semi-final clash.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.