At what point did the ICC get obsessed with ensuring India Pakistan matches did occur at the World Cup?

[SM1989]

Pre- 2011 Pakistan and India were largely in different groups in World Cups (2003 being an exception).

In 2011 Pakistan and India were in different groups and there was no guarantee that they would meet in the knockout stages.

I believe, that the hype and media attention the 2011 World Cup semi final received, made the ICC realise that Pakistan India matches are a money spinner especially given the suspension of bilateral tours between them.

From that point, the ICC ensured that Pakistan and India were placed or seeded in the same group in all ICC tournaments to ensure that a Pakistan India match would always be on the cards. Even the current 10 team round robin format guarantees this match

 

[Rana]

2007 no show

And 2011 Mega blockbuster

They knew where the Moolah was after that!

 

[Civil]

2007 no show

And 2011 Mega blockbuster

They knew where the Moolah was after that!

Yes in 2007 they had set up the format to try to guarantee a super 8 round robin clash. That fixture ended up being Ireland vs Bangladesh instead . That was tons of revenue lost.

 

[Mockingbird]

2007 WC when both India and Pak were in different groups and got knocked out before playing each other. That WC completely lost its sheen & I believe ICC didn’t make much money off the WC ticket sales. Since then ICC ensured that the two teams are in the same group to ensure at least 1 India Pak matchup.

 

[karthikc]

I find it incredible that we almost had an India vs Pakistan final in 1983 and 1987...wonder how those matches would have turned out had both the teams met

 

[Stewie]

I agree, I think it was the loss of revenue in 2007 that made them wisen up.

I also think indians due to their belief they will always win are a lot more tuned in. When that cycle breaks, I think that contest will start losing its fervor. Most of it is due to the indians and indian sponsors anyway I think.

 

[ahmadharis1]

moneys, specifically more of it

 

[SM1989]

I agree, I think it was the loss of revenue in 2007 that made them wisen up.

I also think indians due to their belief they will always win are a lot more tuned in. When that cycle breaks, I think that contest will start losing its fervor. Most of it is due to the indians and indian sponsors anyway I think.

But in 2011 they kept India and Pakistan in separate groups in the Group stage, so there was no guarantee that they would meet in the knockouts. They got lucky that a Pak India semi final happened.

 

[sweep_shot]

2015 possibly. ICC became desperate after that.

 

[Mesozoic]

Mohali

 

[VForVendetta]

I find it incredible that we almost had an India vs Pakistan final in 1983 and 1987...wonder how those matches would have turned out had both the teams met

In 87,Pak would have most certainly prevailed, they had better bowlers as well as batsmen. Most importantly they had match winners & impact players. 83 is tricky,could have gone either way, Ind had more match winners, some supremely aggressive batsmen & even though bowling compromised fully of trundlers, condition & pitches suited them. But you have to take the matter into account, Pak would have come with huge moral booster & confidence by knocking out the WI. That would have been unprecedented. So maybe Pak had slightly more edge there as well.

 

[LegendAli]

I agree, I think it was the loss of revenue in 2007 that made them wisen up.

I also think indians due to their belief they will always win are a lot more tuned in. When that cycle breaks, I think that contest will start losing its fervor. Most of it is due to the indians and indian sponsors anyway I think.

That's the thing, when is the damn "cycle" going to break?

 

[deltexas]

2007 gave a shock to the sponsors lol ! Icc realized one bad day can knock a major team out and 2007 was a disaster financially. Then 2011 semifinal. After that relationship soured and t HB were were no bilateral. So world cup games assumed enormous significance and icc from then on has made sure that we get atleast 1 indo pak game just like Asia cup.

 

[Major]

2007 World Cup, 2007 World T20 AND 2011 World Cup

Back in 2007, the ICC World Cup had a similar format to FIFA World Cup. A smaller team needs to do one upset and the whole group can change and lead to the qualification of that team. When India and Pakistan both failed to qualify, ICC was not able to make that much money as it potentially had wanted.

Than the World T20 2007 came, i dont remember how the groupings were done, but the viewership was high because both India and Pakistan were doing well and there were two iconic games between both countries.

Than the 2011 world cup. There was alot of hype for that mohali semi final as both countries had stopped playing regularly and alot of hype was build up due to the mumbai attacks and all. A year before in the 2010 asia cup we also saw a few fights between the players aswell.

After the 2011 World Cup, it was than decided that a Pakistan vs India game would be added in every ICC tournament. If BCCI and PCB dont want to make money from bilateral series, ICC will be making money from pitting both in an ICC tournament.

 

[kingusama92]

2007 World Cup.

That was a complete disaster financially.

They ended up being in the same group for the next ICC tournament (2007 T20 WC) and were aware of it in 2011 too. If it weren't for India being a host that year, they would have been put in the same group again.

By now, it's the golden goose and a must-see match. Even neutral fans look forward to this match more than the rest in the group stage.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Broadcasters are the reason.

Star pays massively to ICC and ACC (Previously to BCCI for India and IPL rights), so they got to dictate terms.

 

[Mp812]

I find it incredible that we almost had an India vs Pakistan final in 1983 and 1987...wonder how those matches would have turned out had both the teams met

In 1985 a mini world cup happened...the B and H cup ...where India comprehensively beat Pakistan in Australia..so that is a mini conclusion in itself

 

[karthikc]

In 1985 a mini world cup happened...the B and H cup ...where India comprehensively beat Pakistan in Australia..so that is a mini conclusion in itself

Yeah India had the correct team from 1983-1985 for one days..good fielding side also

 

[owenhcricket]

A lot of people have already mentioned 2007 and the horrific world cup that was from almost every perspective...but in 2011 there was no guarantee the two would play each other and I honestly think that was what made the ICC say, regardless of knock out games, they need a guaranteed Pak/India game...which is to the detriment of tournaments. I'd much rather a group format.

Round robins lead to far too many matches and far too many repeats as well if the teams have to play each other in 2 further knock outs.

 

[SM1989]

A lot of people have already mentioned 2007 and the horrific world cup that was from almost every perspective...but in 2011 there was no guarantee the two would play each other and I honestly think that was what made the ICC say, regardless of knock out games, they need a guaranteed Pak/India game...which is to the detriment of tournaments. I'd much rather a group format.

Round robins lead to far too many matches and far too many repeats as well if the teams have to play each other in 2 further knock outs.

They also ensure the match is held relatively earlier in the group stage to ensure its not a dead rubber. I think they learnt that from Champions Trophy 2013. Pak had already lost to Windies and South Africa and hence their final group stage match against India was a dead rubber, devoid of much interest.

In ODI World Cup 2015, Champions Trophy 2017, 2021 T20 World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup Pakistan's first group stage match was against India.