Three India vs Pakistan Matches at ODI World Cup 2027? ICC’s New Format Could Make It Possible… Here’s How

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 could deliver an unprecedented treat for cricket fans, with the possibility of witnessing India and Pakistan clash up to three times in a single edition of the tournament.

Set to be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, the 2027 World Cup is expected to introduce a completely revamped competition format. The new structure not only expands the field but also significantly increases the chances of repeat encounters between top teams.

How the New World Cup Format Works

Unlike the 2019 and 2023 editions, which featured 10 teams, the 2027 tournament will return to a 14-team format.

According to the proposed structure:

• The three lowest-ranked teams (12th, 13th and 14th) will first compete in a qualifying Super Series, with only one team advancing.
• That team will join the remaining 11 higher-ranked nations, creating a 12-team main tournament.
• The 12 teams will then be divided into two groups of six.
• The top three teams from each group, along with the best fourth-placed team, will qualify for the Super 7 stage.
• In the Super 7, all seven teams will play each other once.
• The top four teams will then progress to the semi-finals, followed by the final.

Why India and Pakistan Could Meet Three Times

The revised format creates multiple opportunities for repeat fixtures.

If India and Pakistan are drawn in the same first-round group, they would meet once during the group stage.

Should both teams qualify for the Super 7, they would automatically play each other again because every qualified team faces the other six teams in that phase.

If both sides then reach the semi-finals and are drawn against one another—or if they qualify for the final—they could lock horns for a third time in the same tournament.

In other words:

• Match 1: Group Stage
• Match 2: Super 7 Stage
• Match 3: Semi-final or Final

A First in ODI World Cup History

If this scenario unfolds, it would mark the first time that India and Pakistan meet more than once in a single Men’s ODI World Cup.

ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma Sends Strong Fitness Warning Ahead of England ODIs… India Captain Begins Batting Grind After Family Break

Historically, the arch-rivals have faced each other only once per ODI World Cup edition whenever both teams qualified.

However, multiple meetings have occurred in other ICC tournaments. The two teams played twice during the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup and again in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.

Similarly, the Asia Cup has regularly produced multiple India-Pakistan encounters due to its tournament structure, including editions where both sides met three times after progressing to the final.

A Huge Boost for Cricket Fans

An India-Pakistan contest remains one of the biggest spectacles in world sport, attracting millions of viewers globally. The new World Cup format could increase the chances of this iconic rivalry being witnessed multiple times, provided both teams continue advancing through the tournament.

While the possibility depends entirely on the tournament draw and match results, the ICC’s revamped format has certainly added another layer of excitement ahead of the 2027 Cricket World Cup.