India vs Pakistan in ICC events has become a common sight in recent years. Since 2013, these two teams have always met in the group stage of major men’s ICC tournaments. This includes the Champions Trophy, the ODI World Cup, and the T20 World Cup. Many people notice this trend in India vs Pakistan in ICC events. But how do the groups get formed? This article looks at the rules for selecting teams into groups in ICC events. It also covers why India vs Pakistan in ICC events often happens in the same group.
First, let’s recall the history of India vs Pakistan in ICC events. The last time India and Pakistan did not play each other in a men’s ICC event was the 2012 T20 World Cup. After that, starting from 2013, they have faced off in every tournament. For example, in the 2013 Champions Trophy, India and Pakistan were in the same group. Then, in the 2014 T20 World Cup, they met again in the group stage. This pattern continued in the 2015 ODI World Cup, where India vs Pakistan in ICC events drew a lot of attention.
Moreover, the 2016 T20 World Cup had India and Pakistan in the same group once more. The 2017 Champions Trophy followed the same setup. In the 2019 ODI World Cup, fans saw another group stage clash between India and Pakistan. The 2021 T20 World Cup kept the trend going. Then, the 2022 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup both featured India vs Pakistan in ICC events during the group phase. Finally, the 2024 T20 World Cup had them in the same group too. So, over 11 straight ICC events, India vs Pakistan in ICC events has always included a group stage game.
Now, to understand this, we need to look at the rules for group selection in ICC events. The ICC uses different formats for each tournament, but there are some common steps. For the ODI World Cup, like in 2015, teams were divided into two groups of seven. The ICC based the groups on rankings and qualifiers. Top teams got seeded, and the draw placed them to avoid too many strong teams in one group. However, in recent ODI World Cups, such as 2019 and 2023, the format changed to a single group of 10 teams. In this setup, every team plays every other team, so India vs Pakistan in ICC events is automatic if both qualify.
But for tournaments with multiple groups, the process involves seeding. The ICC ranks teams based on their ICC rankings at a cutoff date. Then, they place the top seeds into different groups. For the rest, a draw happens, but it is not always fully random. The ICC often adjusts to ensure balance. For instance, in the 2015 ODI World Cup, India and Pakistan ended up in the same group after the seeding. This shows how group selection rules in ICC events can lead to certain matchups.
Next, for the T20 World Cup, the rules have evolved. In earlier editions like 2014 and 2016, there were two groups with seeding based on rankings. The ICC placed top teams apart, but India and Pakistan often shared a group. From 2021 onward, the T20 World Cup expanded. In 2021, there was a first round for qualifiers, then Super 12 with two groups of six. The ICC pre-seeded teams into groups. For example, India and Pakistan were both in Group 2. This pre-seeding means the ICC decides placements before the qualifiers finish. So, in India vs Pakistan in ICC events, this setup guarantees their match.
In addition, the 2022 T20 World Cup followed a similar rule. Teams got seeded into groups based on their performance in the previous tournament and rankings. India and Pakistan were again in the same Super 12 group. For the 2024 T20 World Cup, the ICC divided 20 teams into four groups of five. Here, the seeding placed India in Group A with Pakistan. The rules state that hosts and top-ranked teams get priority in seeding. But the ICC also considers other factors to make the groups fair. This often results in India vs Pakistan in ICC events being in the same group.
Furthermore, the Champions Trophy has its own group selection process. For the 2013 and 2017 editions, eight teams were split into two groups of four. The ICC used rankings to seed the top teams. India and Pakistan were placed in the same group both times. Teams qualify based on the previous ODI World Cup standings. Then, the ICC divides them into two groups. Group A includes India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. Group B has South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, and England. So, again, India vs Pakistan in ICC events will happen in the group stage.
Why does this pattern of India vs Pakistan in ICC events keep happening? The ICC does not hold public draws for groups in most cases. Instead, they announce the groups after internal decisions. Sources say the ICC considers commercial factors. India vs Pakistan in ICC events brings high viewership. But the official rules focus on rankings and balance. Still, in practice, the groups often ensure big matches like India vs Pakistan in ICC events occur early.
To explain further, let’s look at the seeding pots. In pot 1, top-ranked teams like India often go. Pakistan might be in pot 2 or 3, depending on rankings. But the draw rules allow the ICC to place them in the same group. For the Champions Trophy, the rules state each team plays others in their group once. With only two groups, the chance of India vs Pakistan in ICC events is high if they qualify. But the ICC’s choice of groups makes it certain.
Many fans and experts discuss this trend in India vs Pakistan in ICC events. They point out that since bilateral series stopped, ICC events are the main stage. The rules do not forbid placing them together. In fact, the ICC’s focus on balance sometimes leads to it. But critics say it’s for money. From a neutral view, the rules allow it, and it happens every time.
The post How India and Pakistan Always End Up in Same Group in ICC Tournament appeared first on Sportzcraazy.
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