The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to raise the issue of placing India and Pakistan in separate groups for the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Annual General Meeting, scheduled from July 17-20 in Singapore.
The move, driven by heightened geopolitical tensions following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, could break the long-standing practice of scheduling the arch-rivals in the same group to ensure the blockbuster clash that drive massive viewership and revenue.
This development comes as the BCCI reportedly is also considering opting out of the Asia Cup 2025 in a bid to isolate Pakistan.
Also read: India-Pakistan Talks to Headline ICC Annual General Meeting, Chaired by Jay Shah
BCCI Likely to Push for Separate Groups for India, Pakistan in ICC Tournaments
The Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, has intensified calls within India to sever all cricketing interactions with Pakistan.
Therefore, the BCCI is set to push for placing India and Pakistan in separate groups for the upcoming ICC events, including the T20 World Cup 2026.
According to a report by PTI, the ICC is poised to discuss this issue at its annual conference scheduled for July 17-20.
"The issue is bound to come up for discussion at the annual conference. While prospect of India and Pakistan not playing in ICC knockouts is unlikely, not drawing them in the same group, which has been the norm at ICC events, is a possibility," a BCCI source said as quoted to PTI.
Historically, the ICC has ensured India and Pakistan are grouped together in major tournaments to guarantee at least one high-stakes encounter, often among the most-watched sporting events globally. However, the current situation post India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ in response to the Pahalgam attack, has prompted the BCCI to push for a reevaluation.
The ICC has already adopted a hybrid model for India-Pakistan matches in recent tournaments, such as the 2025 Champions Trophy, where India played all its matches in Dubai instead of Pakistan. This agreement ensures that matches involving India in Pakistan-hosted events, or vice versa, are played at neutral venues. The 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India, will likely see Pakistan’s matches being played in Sri Lanka.
India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has publicly advocated for a complete halt to cricketing ties with Pakistan, emphasising that "no cricket match or Bollywood or any other interaction is more important than the life of Indian soldiers and Indian citizens."
What About Asia Cup 2025?
Reports suggested that India have withdrawn from the Men’s Asia Cup 2025, scheduled for September, and the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup in June.
However, the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia denied such claims.
"Since this morning, it has come to our notice about some news items about BCCI's decision not to participate in Asia Cup and Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup, both ACC's events. Such news are devoid of any truth as till now BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding the upcoming ACC events, leave alone writing anything to the ACC," Saikia said as quoted.
"At this stage, our prime focus is on the ongoing IPL and subsequent England series, both men and women," he added.
Also read: BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia Denies Reports Of India's Withdrawal From Asia Cup 2025: Reports
