India also have ‌Australia in their pool in a repeat ‌of the 2023 final. Their encounter will open the second stage of the World Cup ‌in Cape Town on October 7, ⁠with the tournament ‌co-hosted by South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

India and ​Pakistan have a fierce rivalry on the cricket pitch, fuelled by political ​tensions between the subcontinent neighbours.

There will likely be a fervent atmosphere at the Wanderers, ⁠nicknamed the 'Bullring', a ​high-scoring ground that will also stage the final on November 21.

Afghanistan, co-hosts Zimbabwe and an as yet unknown qualifier are also in ‌Group A with the top three teams in each pool advancing to the Super 7 phase, along with the best of the fourth-placed teams across the two pools.

Co-hosts South Africa, who have yet to lift the World Cup, are in Group B with England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh ‌and another qualifier.

The first stage of the ​competition is a round-robin three-team event that ‌starts on October 2 and will produce the final qualifier for the second stage.

2027 Cricket World Cup:

Group A: Afghanistan, Australia, India, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Qualifier A

Group B: ⁠Bangladesh, England, New ⁠Zealand, South Africa, ‌Sri Lanka, Qualifier B