Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will face each other in Group A of next year’s 20-team competition.
Rivals India and Pakistan will meet in a politically charged Twenty20 World Cup match in Colombo on February 15, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Tuesday, announcing the draw.
The ICC said in a statement that the 20-team tournament will be played between February 7 and March 8 across eight venues – five in India and three in Sri Lanka.
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Due to its poor political relations with India, Pakistan will play all its games in Sri Lanka.
The final on March 8 is scheduled to be held in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad but will be shifted to Colombo if Pakistan reaches there.
A military clash between the nuclear-armed neighbors in May overshadowed the subsequent Asia Cup 2025, with India refusing to accept the winner’s trophy from Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is Pakistan’s interior minister.
The teams in the tournament are divided into five groups of four each, with the top two teams advancing to the Super Eight stage. The top four in that will qualify for the semi-finals.
Defending champions India will begin their Group A campaign against the United States on February 7 in Mumbai.
Sri Lanka and Australia are in Group B, which also includes Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman.
England and West Indies, both two-time winners, will face Italy and Asian teams Bangladesh and Nepal for the first time in Group C.
New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada and the United Arab Emirates form Group D.
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