Pakistan will face India, Australia, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and one qualifier in Group A of the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, with the Pakistan-India match scheduled for October 10 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the fixtures on October 1, confirming a group-stage schedule that brings three prominent cricket teams together.
Pakistan will open its campaign against Afghanistan on October 8 in Tshwane, two days before the match against India at The Wanderers. Meanwhile, defending champions Australia will begin their group campaign against India in Cape Town on October 7, recreating the contest that decided the 2023 World Cup final.
The 2027 tournament will run from October 2 to November 21 across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. It will feature 14 teams and introduce a Super 7 phase between the group stage and the semi-finals.
Pakistan’s opening fixtures bring an early challenge
Pakistan’s first two scheduled matches will come in quick succession. The team will meet Afghanistan in Tshwane on October 8 before taking on India in Johannesburg on October 10.
The short interval between those games will leave Pakistan with limited time between fixtures. The schedule places an early focus on preparation and recovery, although results across the full group stage will determine which teams advance.
Pakistan will then face Qualifier A in Bloemfontein on October 15. Its remaining group matches are against Zimbabwe in Harare on October 19 and Australia in Paarl on October 22.
These fixtures give supporters a clear view of Pakistan’s route through Group A. The team must play all five group opponents, rather than relying on results in the headline match against India.
2027 World Cup Group A and Group B
The ICC has confirmed the following groups for the tournament’s second stage.
Group A
- India
- Australia
- Pakistan
- Afghanistan
- Zimbabwe
- Qualifier A
Group B
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- England
- Bangladesh
- Qualifier B
Each team will play the other five sides in its group once. The format gives every team multiple opportunities to collect points before the competition moves to the next phase.
South Africa and Zimbabwe qualified directly as co-hosts. Eight other teams earned direct places based on the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings at the September 30, 2026 cut-off. The remaining four places will be decided through the qualification process.
Key Pakistan fixtures at the 2027 World Cup
Pakistan’s confirmed group-stage schedule includes five matches:
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| October 8, 2027 | Afghanistan | Tshwane |
| October 10, 2027 | India | Johannesburg |
| October 15, 2027 | Qualifier A | Bloemfontein |
| October 19, 2027 | Zimbabwe | Harare |
| October 22, 2027 | Australia | Paarl |
The dates and venues are based on the ICC’s published schedule. Qualifier A’s identity will depend on the qualification process.
India and Australia open Group A action
India and Australia will meet in Cape Town on October 7, the first day of the group stage. Australia won the 2023 World Cup final against India, making their next scheduled meeting an immediate point of interest for cricket followers.
India will then face Pakistan in Johannesburg on October 10. The match will bring the neighbouring sides together in the group stage of a tournament hosted across southern Africa.
The Wanderers will also host the World Cup final on November 21. The venue is therefore scheduled to stage both the Pakistan-India group match and the tournament’s final.
How the new Super 7 format works
The 2027 World Cup will use a three-stage structure before the semi-finals. The tournament begins with a three-team Super Series in Windhoek, Namibia, from October 2 to October 6. The leading team from that stage will take the final group-stage place.
The 12 teams in the group stage will be split into two groups of six. After each side has played five matches, the top three teams from each group and the best-performing fourth-placed team will advance to the Super 7 phase.
The seven qualifying teams will then play a round-robin stage, with no group-stage points carried forward. Each team will play six matches between October 25 and November 14.
The top four teams from the Super 7 standings will progress to the semi-finals, scheduled for November 17 and 18. The final will take place in Johannesburg on November 21, with November 22 reserved in case a reserve day is required.
Three countries to host the 2027 tournament
South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will jointly stage the 2027 World Cup, with 12 venues scheduled across the three countries. Windhoek will host the opening Super Series, while matches will also take place in cities including Cape Town, Johannesburg, Harare and Bulawayo.
The distribution of fixtures means teams will travel between different venues during the tournament. Pakistan’s schedule includes matches in Tshwane, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Harare and Paarl.
For Pakistan supporters, October 10 is the key date for the group-stage meeting with India. However, the team’s progress will depend on results throughout the group campaign, with matches against Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Australia and the remaining qualifier also contributing to its chances of reaching the Super 7 phase.