India and Sri Lanka to Host ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Amidst India-Pakistan Rivalry

India and Sri Lanka are gearing up to co-host the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2026. Amidst ongoing political tensions, there are discussions about the future of India-Pakistan cricket rivalry, particularly regarding their grouping in upcoming tournaments. The annual ICC conference in Singapore will address these issues, raising questions about the potential for both teams to compete together in future events. With the backdrop of recent conflicts affecting their encounters, the cricketing world is keenly watching how this rivalry will unfold in the context of international tournaments.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 22, 2025, 19:15 IST

Upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup

India and Sri Lanka are set to co-host the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in the first quarter of 2026. A recent report suggests that the 2024 T20 World Cup champions, India, may not be placed in the same group as their long-time rivals, Pakistan. Discussions regarding the future of India-Pakistan cricket in ICC events are scheduled to take place during the annual conference of the governing body, which will be held in Singapore from July 17 to 20.

Political Tensions Affecting Cricket Rivalry

The ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan have restricted their cricket encounters to ICC tournaments only. Following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 and subsequent military confrontations between the two nations, speculation has arisen regarding the future of their rivalry in ICC events. It appears unlikely that both teams will compete together in global tournaments, starting with the upcoming T20 World Cup next year.

BCCI's Stance on India-Pakistan Matches

A source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) indicated that this issue will be on the agenda for discussion at the annual conference. While the chances of India and Pakistan not facing each other in ICC knockout matches are slim, there is a possibility that they may not be placed in the same group, which has traditionally been the case in ICC events. Jay Shah, the chairman of the ICC and former BCCI secretary, will be attending the annual conference for the first time since taking office last December. Tensions between the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been ongoing, especially after the Indian board denied the team, led by Rohit Sharma, permission to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup in 2023, forcing the PCB to adopt a hybrid model where Sri Lanka hosted all of India's matches and most knockout games.