ICC Changes Entire World Cup For India Pakistan Matches

ICC's latest move result in more IND vs PAK fixtures [Source: AFP]

In a significant development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced major changes to the format of the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2027. They have introduced a new four-stage structure that is expected to make the tournament more competitive.

The ICC ODI World Cup 2027 will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. It is important to mention that World Cup 2027 will continue to feature 14 teams, a new 'Super Series' round has been added before the main group stage, increasing the importance of every match.

The revised format could increase the chances of India and Pakistan facing each other more than once during the tournament.

ICC Introduces Four-Stage ODI World Cup Format Ahead Of 2027

• Under the new format, all 14 qualified teams will not directly enter the main group stage for the ODI World Cup 2027. Instead, the three lowest-ranked teams will first compete in a Super Series round. 
• These three teams will battle for a single place in the next stage, with the other two teams being eliminated from the tournament. 
• Following the Super Series, the remaining 12 teams will enter the main competition. They will be divided into two groups of six teams each.

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• Each team will play against the other teams in its group. At the end of the group stage, the top three teams from each group will automatically qualify for the next phase. They will be joined by the next highest-placed team across both groups, making it a total of seven teams in the Super 7 stage.
• The Super 7 round will be another league stage where the qualified teams compete for a place in the knockout rounds. 
• After all matches are completed, the top four teams in the Super 7 standings will qualify for the semi-finals. 
• In the semi-finals, the first-ranked team will play the fourth-ranked team, while the second-ranked team will face the third-ranked team. The winners will meet in the final.

How Can ICC's New Rule Increase India-Pakistan Matches?

According to the old format, the top six teams would've been divided into two groups. So, the chances of India and Pakistan facing each other in the subsequent rounds after a potential group-stage clash were bleak. 

However, it is vital to note that this new format means India and Pakistan can play at least twice in the 2027 World Cup. The first time they can feature in the Group Stage (If placed in the same group), and the second time both teams can play against each other can be if they qualify for the Super 7 stage, which includes a round-robin format. 

Major Changes For ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2028

It is important to note that the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2028 will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The marquee tournament will still feature 20 teams, but the tournament format has been changed.

Stage 1 – Group Stage (30 matches)

• The 20 teams will be split into five groups of four teams. Each team will play the other teams in its group once. The top two teams from every group will move on to the next stage, called Super 10.

Stage 2 – Super 10 (20 matches)

• The 10 qualified teams will be placed into two groups of five. Each team will play every other team in its group once. The team finishing first in each group will go straight to the semi-finals.

Stage 3 – Eliminators (2 matches)

• The other two semi-final places will be decided in the Eliminator matches. The second-placed team from one Super 10 group will play the third-placed team from the other group, and vice versa. The winners of these matches will qualify for the semi-finals.

The tournament will then continue with the semi-finals and the final to decide the champion.

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