Few rivalries in world sport command the emotional weight, history, and global attention of an India-Pakistan cricket match. Each meeting between the two neighbours is treated as an event rather than a fixture,
drawing massive television audiences and sparking intense debate long before the first ball is bowled. In 2025, fans were treated to an unusually frequent dose of this storied rivalry during the Asia Cup, where India and Pakistan faced off three times in the same tournament — in the league stage, the Super Four, and ultimately, the final. On every occasion, India emerged victorious, completing an unbeaten run and lifting the trophy in emphatic fashion.
While bilateral series between the two sides remain off the table due to ongoing political tensions, clashes in ICC and continental tournaments have become almost inevitable. Their commercial value and global appeal ensure that, whenever possible, the two teams are placed on a collision course. However, unlike 2025, the upcoming year does not guarantee a flurry of senior-level encounters. Even so, 2026 still promises several intriguing possibilities across different formats and age groups.
| Tournament | Teams | Stage | Date | Venue | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 | India U-19 vs Pakistan U-19 | Semi-final / Final (possible) | By February 6, 2026 | Zimbabwe / Namibia | Teams are in different groups; only meeting possible in knockouts |
| ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | India vs Pakistan | Group Stage | February 15, 2026 | Colombo, Sri Lanka | One confirmed match; a second clash is possible in later rounds |
| ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 | India Women vs Pakistan Women | Group Stage | June 14, 2026 | England | Both teams are drawn in the same group |
Cricket Full Schedule 2026: Teams, Venues, Tournaments & More
The first potential India-Pakistan contest of 2026 may come through the junior pathway rather than the senior teams. The ICC Under-19 World Cup, scheduled to begin on January 15 in Zimbabwe and Namibia, places India and Pakistan in separate groups. As a result, they cannot meet during the group stage or the Super Six round. Their earliest possible showdown would be in the knockout phase, either in the semi-finals or the final, slated for February 6. A meeting at that stage would add extra drama to an already high-stakes youth tournament.
Attention will then quickly shift to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, beginning on February 7. One of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures is the India-Pakistan clash scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Given the tournament structure, a repeat encounter later in the competition is possible if both teams advance deep into the knockout rounds. Historically, India have enjoyed overwhelming dominance over Pakistan in T20 World Cup meetings, with Pakistan managing just a single victory against India in the competition’s history.
Later in the year, the rivalry will extend to the women’s game. The Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be held in England, and India and Pakistan have been drawn into the same group. Their group-stage encounter is set for June 14 and is expected to attract significant interest. India’s women, who are the reigning ODI world champions, will be keen to maintain their strong record against Pakistan. Across six previous Women’s T20 World Cup meetings, India have won four matches, while Pakistan have claimed two victories.
