Dubai: India will face arch-rivals Pakistan in their T20 World Cup opener on October 24 in Dubai, the ICC announced the fixtures on Tuesday. The high-voltage fixture will also be the opener of Group 2 of the Super 12 stage.
The tournament though will begin on October 17 with hosts Oman taking on Papua New Guinea in the curtain-raiser in Round 1 encounter. Oman along with the UAE will be jointly hosting the tournament.
Round 1 acts as a qualifier with the top two teams from each of the two groups making their way in the Super 12 stage. Round 1 commences on October 22. Sri Lanka, Ireland, Netherlands and Namibia constitute Round 1 Group A while Group B has Bangladesh, Scotland, Oman and Papua & New Guinea.
The actual tournament will get underway on October 23 in Abu Dhabi when Australia take on South Africa in Group 1. On the same day, defending champions West Indies will also start their campaign against England — a repeat of the 2016 final at Eden Gardens.
However, the match to watch out for in that group will be when Australia will meet traditional rivals England which would be a mouthwatering clash. India who were the semifinalists last time will be hoping to turn the tables this time.
The first semifinal will take place in Abu Dhabi on November 10 while Dubai to host the second a day after. The final is on November 14 all these three games having the option for reserve days.
Super 12:
Group 1 – England, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, Winner Group A and Runners-up Group B
Group 2 – India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Winner Group B and Runners-up Group A
