Pakistan could face India twice at 2027 World Cup

Pakistan could face arch-rivals India twice at the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup if both teams qualify for the Super 7 stage, according to the schedule released by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The two sides are already guaranteed to meet in the group stage on October 10 at The Wanderers in Johannesburg. A second encounter is scheduled for November 7 in Cape Town if both teams progress to the Super 7 phase.

A third India-Pakistan clash could also take place in the knockout stage if both sides advance to the semi-finals or final.

Pakistan’s World Cup schedule

The 2027 World Cup will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 2 to November 21, with 14 teams competing across 12 venues.

Under the new format, the top three teams from each of the two six-team groups, along with the better-performing fourth-placed side, will advance to the Super 7 stage.

The seven teams will then play each other once, with the top four progressing to the semi-finals.

Pakistan have been pre-seeded A3 for the Super 7 stage, alongside India as A1, Australia as A2, England as AB4, New Zealand as B1, South Africa as B2 and Sri Lanka as B3.

The pre-seeding means Pakistan’s potential Super 7 fixtures have already been mapped out, although their participation in the stage will depend on qualifying from the group phase.

Pakistan will begin their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on October 8 in Tshwane before facing India on October 10 in Johannesburg.

The national team will then play Qualifier A on October 15 in Bloemfontein, Zimbabwe on October 19 in Harare and Australia on October 22 in Paarl.

Possible Super 7 route

If Pakistan qualify for the Super 7 stage, their first match will be against New Zealand on October 26 in Gqeberha.

They will then face England on October 30 in Victoria Falls, South Africa on November 3 in Durban, India on November 7 in Cape Town, Sri Lanka on November 10 in Bloemfontein and Australia on November 13 in Bloemfontein.

The Super 7 stage will run from October 25 to November 14, with no points carried over from the group stage.

The top four teams from the Super 7 stage will qualify for the semi-finals.

The first semi-final is scheduled for November 17 in Cape Town, while the second will be played on November 18 in Tshwane.

The World Cup final will be held at The Wanderers in Johannesburg on November 21, with a reserve day on November 22.

The 2027 edition will mark the return of the Men’s Cricket World Cup to Africa after 24 years. South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will jointly host the 14-team tournament, which will feature 57 matches across 12 venues.