India, Pakistan Can Face Each Other Twice This T20 World Cup. Here’s How

India, Pakistan Can Face Each Other Twice In T20 World Cup 2024: India vs Pakistan (IND vs PAK) is not a usual occurence in the cricket calendar. The two teams might be at the centre of the fiercest rivalry of cricket but do not take on each other in bilateral cricket. The two sides meet only in the International Cricket Council (ICC) events and with the T20 World Cup 2024 set to get underway in the United States of America (USA) and the Caribbean Islands, all eyes are on the IND vs PAK group-stage fixture in the T20 World Cup set to be played in New York on June 9.

However, it is pertinent to note that there could be more than one IND vs PAK fixtures this T20 World Cup 2024. India have historically dominated the IND vs PAK rivalry when it comes to the T20 World Cups. The two teams have squared off on eight occasions, with India winning 7 of these matches while Pakistan securing a win in a solitary game. 

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How Can India and Pakistan Meet Twice In T20 World Cup 2024?

In the group stage, India and Pakistan both are part of the same group. In order to proceed to the Super 8 stage of the tournament, they must guarantee themselves a place in the top two in a group which also has Ireland, Canada and USA. With India and Pakistan being two former champion sides, they are expected to proceed to the Super 8.

India and Pakistan, if they make it to the Super 8s, will be placed in seprate groups. The Winner of Group A will be paired with the winner of Group C along with the runners-up of Groups B and D. On the other hand, runners-up of Group A will be clubbed with the runner-up of Group C and the winners of Group B and D.

Thus, if India end up as the toppers of Group A, they could potentially be grouped along with Australia, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka in Group 1 with Pakistan, England, West Indies, South Africa making Group 2. If India and Pakistan make the top two of their respective groups in Super 8s, they could meet in the semifinal. In case, they make it to different semifinals, they can potentially meet in the final.

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There is a possibility of India and Pakistan meeting twice though, not more than that in the T20 World Cup 2024.