India and Sri Lanka, the joint hosts of next year’s Twenty20 World Cup, seem to have ended up with sharply different pathways to the Super Eight stage after the tournament draw, with India landing in what looks like a comfortable group while Sri Lanka face a far more demanding challenge.
According to a report by Cricbuzz, top-ranked India find themselves in a relatively gentle pool that also features Pakistan, the only other Test-playing nation in the group. The remaining teams, the Netherlands (No. 13), Namibia (No. 15), and the USA (No. 18), make the bracket appear straightforward for the two Asian giants.
With only two sides progressing from each group, both India and Pakistan should fancy their chances of cruising into the Super Eight, regardless of the outcome of their marquee clash scheduled for the second weekend of the tournament on February 15. Still, recent history offers a reminder to be cautious as Pakistan famously slipped against the USA in the 2024 edition.
Sri Lanka, however, have been handed a trickier assignment. The eighth-ranked side has been grouped with three other Test-playing nations, Australia (No. 2), Zimbabwe (No. 11), and Ireland (No. 12) along with Oman (No. 20). With four full-member teams vying for just two qualification spots, the hosts could find themselves in what may well be branded the competition’s first “group of death.”
In fact, more than one pool could lay claim to that label. Former champions England (No. 3) and the West Indies (No. 6) must battle it out alongside Bangladesh (No. 9), a side highly capable in subcontinental conditions. Nepal (No. 17) and Italy (No. 28), the rank outsiders, complete this formidable group.
Last year’s runners-up, South Africa (No. 5), also face stiff competition. They are bracketed with New Zealand (No. 4) and Afghanistan (No. 10), both dangerous T20 outfits, while also expected to get the better of the UAE (No. 16) and Canada (No. 18) as they push for a spot in the next round.
The tournament will run from February 7 to March 8.
India will begin their World Cup title defence against the USA before facing Namibia, Pakistan, and the Netherlands in their league fixtures. As agreed beforehand, the high-profile India-Pakistan contest will be played in Colombo.
The matches in India are likely to be staged in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad, while Sri Lanka will host games in Colombo and Kandy.
Ahmedabad has been earmarked to host the final unless Pakistan qualify, in which case the title clash would shift to Colombo. Mumbai and Kolkata are contenders to host the semifinal ties, depending on the progression of teams. Colombo, too, is in the running to stage a semifinal, and the final should Pakistan advance deep into the tournament.
The top two sides from each first-round group will move into the Super Eight, from where the best four teams will qualify for the semifinals, followed by the final. The International Cricket Council (ICC) will officially announce the draw in Mumbai on November 25.
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