India will face arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening game of the ICC T20 World Cup in Dubai on October 24, the ICC announced on Tuesday.
As per the schedule, the 2007 champions next opponent will be World Test Championship winners New Zealand on October 31 in Dubai, followed by a match against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on November 3.
India’s remaining two Super 12 matches are against the winner of Group B (November 5 in Dubai) and second placed side of Group A (November 8 in Dubai).
The tournament’s first round kicks off on October 17 in Oman, with the hosts taking on Papua New Guinea and Bangladesh playing Scotland.
Group A consists of 2014 champions Sri Lanka, Ireland, the Netherlands and Namibia, while Group B has Bangladesh, Scotland, Papua New Guinea and Oman.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super 12 stage.
The Super 12s — round two of the tournament, with two groups — will begin on October 23, with Australia facing South Africa in Abu Dhabi and England up against title holders and two-time champions West Indies in Dubai.
The first semifinal will be held in Abu Dhabi on November 10, while the second will be played in Dubai on November 11.
The final will be held in Dubai on November 14 with November 15 marked as reserve day.
The tournament is being hosted by India in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman since a third wave of the Covid-19 is being anticipated at that time of the tournament.