Get ready for thrilling cricket battles between Asian giants this year

For cricket lovers across the globe, and especially for Odisha cricket fans eagerly refreshing Bhubaneswar sports news, nothing beats the adrenaline of an India-Pakistan encounter. While political tensions continue to pause bilateral series between the two nations, the International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments remain the only battleground where these arch-rivals face off.

Although the sheer volume of matches might be lower than in 2025, the stakes in India vs Pakistan 2026 are higher than ever. Here is the complete breakdown of when and where the "Men in Blue" and the "Green Shirts" will collide this year.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

The biggest ticket item on the calendar arrives early. India and Sri Lanka are co-hosting the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, setting the stage for a massive showdown. Both teams have been drawn into the same group, ensuring at least one high-voltage meeting.

• Date: February 15, 2026
• Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
• Context: While India is a co-host, this specific match will be played at a neutral venue in Sri Lanka. It promises to be a repeat of the intense battles seen in the previous Asia Cup, with fans hoping for another dominant performance from the Indian side.

ICC U-19 Men’s ODI World Cup

The future stars of cricket are currently competing in Zimbabwe and Namibia. However, an immediate Ind vs Pak upcoming match is not on the cards here. The teams are placed in separate groups (Group A and Group B), meaning they will skip each other in the league stages and Super Sixes.

• Scenario: A clash will only happen if both teams advance to the knockout stages.
• Possibility: A high-stakes Semifinal or Final could see young talents like Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi fighting to settle scores after the recent Asia Cup final loss.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

Later in the summer, the action shifts to England for the Women's T20 World Cup 2026. The Indian women’s team, fresh off their ODI successes, will look to conquer the T20 format.

• Date: June 14, 2026
• Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
• Context: India and Pakistan are in the same group alongside heavyweights like Australia and South Africa. This makes the June 14 encounter a "must-win" for India to secure a safe passage to the semi-finals.

For fans, 2026 offers quality over quantity. Mark these dates, because when India takes on Pakistan, the world stops to watch.