Unpopular opinion: ICC should stop deliberately putting India and Pak in the same group

[Texan]

ICC used to not do this "group fixing" in the first few editions of the World Cup and hence, we never ended up playing against Pak until the 1992 World Cup, when all teams played against each other. Subsequently, ICC made it a point to fix groups irrespective of team rankings to ensure India and Pak always play a match at an ICC event.

 

First, it is unethical and wrong. If match fixing is wrong, so also is group fixing just to ensure they get this high profile match. No other international sports do something of this sort at global events. 

 

Second, Pak has largely been an inferior opponent for far too long. Yes, they can have a sudden flash of brilliance occasionally and win, but mostly India-Pak encounters play out in a familiar manner where India wins very comfortably. It is not even close. 

 

It's high time, ICC reverts back to its strategy of only having fair groups. If India and Pak end up in the same group by fair means, so be it. 

Edited February 23, 2025 by Texan

[Gollum]

Shouldn't happen because it isn't fair. SENA teams should be more vocal about this fixing. 

[Lord]

Its very popular opinion.

 

if one team has to be mandatorily in our it should be Aus

[Lord]

3 minutes ago, Gollum said:

Shouldn't happen because it isn't fair. SENA teams should be more vocal about this fixing. 

 

Yes the other group has become far tougher because of this. 

[Gollum]

Just now, Lord said:

Its very popular opinion.

 

if one team has to be mandatorily in our it should be Aus

Should be based on rankings (maybe decide cutoff 6 months before start of tournament)

 

1, 4, 5, 8 in group 1

 

2, 3, 6, 7 in group 2 

 

Have some transparency in the process. 

[Autonomous]

Its cringe. 

[sage]

Ever since the failure of India and Pakistan in 2007 they have ensured to never make that repeat

[sage]

1 hour ago, Gollum said:

Should be based on rankings (maybe decide cutoff 6 months before start of tournament)

 

1, 4, 5, 8 in group 1

 

2, 3, 6, 7 in group 2 

 

Have some transparency in the process. 

Or like Fifa they do it in a transparent raffle

[The Realist]

Neither should Aus v Eng as getting tired.

 

Though invariably it's the better quality game so less annoying.

[deathmonger]

3 minutes ago, The Realist said:

Neither should Aus v Eng as getting tired.

 

Though invariably it's the better quality game so less annoying.

Aus/Eng is almost always good though.

[Norman]

2011 Mohali changed the game altogether when it comes to viewership perceptions. Before that, i don't think ICC actually knew the potential of an India-Pak big game clash and how that can be used as a bargain at the media rights selling table. 

 

But what they ignored was that iconic clash was a natural occurence by virtue of India and Pakistan's qualification paths meeting. 

[StraightDrive26]

To be frank ICC has made lots of money with India/Pak game, it also ties into the TV rights etc. Pakistan as a team right now is not good enough to make it to the second round of any competition, which means they cannot sell the TV rights based on this game. This is bad and there is no competition in recent times between the two teams. India always end up with 2 free points in ICC events. 

[Ultimate_Game]

Naah... I enjoy the annual whoopings we give them to bring them back to earth after they somehow reach "world no. 1" or "world no. 2" playing Zim and C & D teams 

 

Today's game had the same vibes as the 2023 Asia Cup after Pak fans were flying high ranked no. 1 and were supposed to go into the WC as "favorites". And then the match happened and they were @$$ r@ped 

 

Same thing today and now they're out of the CT within 3 days 

[jf1gp_1]

Agreed. T20 wc can be a start.

[nevada]

2 hours ago, Ultimate_Game said:

Naah... I enjoy the annual whoopings we give them to bring them back to earth after they somehow reach "world no. 1" or "world no. 2" playing Zim and C & D teams 

 

Today's game had the same vibes as the 2023 Asia Cup after Pak fans were flying high ranked no. 1 and were supposed to go into the WC as "favorites". And then the match happened and they were @$$ r@ped 

 

Same thing today and now they're out of the CT within 3 days 

They are cornered tigers yet again. You never know, maybe they will manifest another miracle! 

[nevada]

3 hours ago, Norman said:

2011 Mohali changed the game altogether when it comes to viewership perceptions. Before that, i don't think ICC actually knew the potential of an India-Pak big game clash and how that can be used as a bargain at the media rights selling table. 

 

But what they ignored was that iconic clash was a natural occurence by virtue of India and Pakistan's qualification paths meeting. 

I think 2011 was the last time the two teams met organically. After that it's been non stop draw rigging with the obligatory India-Pakistan clash in the opening round itself. 

[bowl_out]

Totally popular opinion here.

 

ICC will claim that the only chance of India vs Pak playing each other is in an ICC tournament and they wouldn't want to miss that.. But ICC should stop putting them in the same group. If both teams are good enough, let them meet in the knock outs.

 

[Ultimate_Game]

1 hour ago, nevada said:

They are cornered tigers yet again. You never know, maybe they will manifest another miracle! 

 

Not gonna happen. First it requires B'desh to beat NZ by a big margin, which isn't going to happen. And then Pak has to beat B'desh by a huge margin and hoping India beat NZ as well.

[Bigg Brother]

It's ok if they meet later in KO stage like 2011 wc (SF) and 2017(F), otherwise group matches will always turned out to be such boring one sided affair. 50 over WC is okay as everyone plays with one another but in CT, Asia Cup and wt20 they should be played in different groups.

[Frustrated]

Watching Pook media cry & break Tv sets after every Ind vs Pook match is the biggest source of entertainment for us.  If that entertainment goes away, half the Ind fans would stop following cricket altogether.  (Though we all are aware that the rivalry no longer exists, with the end result being the same each time).