By Zainab Shafiq 
After months of fiery rhetoric and public vows from top BCCI officials and ex-cricketers to never face Pakistan again, even in ICC or ACC events, India find themselves placed in the same group as its arch-rival for the T20 World Cup 2026. This unexpected pairing for the women’s edition has stirred both controversy and excitement, especially with the high-voltage clash scheduled for June 14 at Edgbaston, England.
Just weeks ago, Indian voices within cricket’s power corridors echoed strong sentiments against competing with Pakistan in light of ongoing political tensions. Yet, with the ICC’s group draw now confirmed, India will not only play Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2026 but is also set to travel to Colombo for a Women’s ODI World Cup fixture against them later this year.
India, Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, and two qualifying nations form Group 1, setting up what’s arguably the most intense group stage in recent Women’s T20 World Cup history. The top two from each group will proceed to the semi-finals, scheduled for June 30 and July 2, before the grand finale at Lord’s on July 5.
England Set to Host a Spectacle Across 7 Venues
The T20 World Cup 2026 will unfold across seven iconic English venues including Lord’s, The Oval, Old Trafford, Edgbaston, Headingley, Southampton, and Bristol. A total of 33 matches will be played over 24 days, featuring 12 teams, two more than in the last edition. Matches will start at 10:30 AM, 2:30 PM, or 6:30 PM local time to accommodate global audiences.
England kick off the tournament against Sri Lanka on June 12, while defending champions New Zealand take on the West Indies in Southampton on June 13. Powerhouses Australia and South Africa clash on the same day in Manchester.
India’s other major group matches include South Africa (June 21, Manchester) and Australia (June 28, Lord’s), while Pakistan battles South Africa on June 17 and Australia on June 23.