Why can’t Pakistan and India play each other in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup?

Pakistan and India faced each other three times during the month-long Asia Cup last year. 

Cross-group format

However, that might not be the case in the ongoing T20 World Cup, where pre-determined seedings and scheduling would prevent the two teams from playing each other in a semi-final, irrespective of where they finish.

Pakistan and India are currently in two different groups, with Pakistan in Group 1 and India in Group 2. Normally, the top two teams from each group face the opposite-placed team from the other group. For instance, the first-placed team in one group plays the second-placed team in the other group.

No Pakistan-India semi-final

However, the same cannot be said for India and Pakistan, whose venues and potential opponents are more restricted than usual.

If India qualify, they will play in the second semi-final in Mumbai, regardless of their position on the points table. This ensures they get a home semi-final, no matter how they reach that stage. As a result, India will only feature in the second of the two semi-finals.

Pakistan, however, cannot play that match because it is scheduled to be held in India. Under the hybrid model, Pakistan will play their semi-final in Colombo if they qualify.

However, if both teams progress past the semi-finals, they can meet in the final, which in that case would be played in Colombo to accommodate Pakistan.

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