India and Pakistan will be locking horns with each other in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 on October 24 in a super12 encounter, the international body announced on Tuesday. Former Indian opener, Gautam Gambhir believes it will help as the men in blue will then be able to focus on the remaining tournament. Speaking on Star Sports show Game Plan: ICC T20 WC Schedule, Gambhir highlighted the importance of clashing with Pakistan in the initial stages of the tournament.

Gautam Gambhir explained, “In 2007 as well, when we went on to win the World Cup, our first game was against Scotland, which was washed out, but then practically, our first game was against Pakistan. And that is exactly what I mentioned, it is important to play Pakistan in the early stages of the tournament because what happens is — you don’t want to keep thinking about Pakistan.”

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He further added, “You can finish it off initially and concentrate on the entire tournament, and it is exactly the same for the fans and the country as well. Irrespective of what the result is, I am really happy for both the countries that they are going to play against each other in the initial stages.”

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 in UAE and Oman will be commencing from October 17, with the final to be played in Dubai on November 14.

The tournament is scheduled to be commencing with the Round 1 Group B encounter between hosts Oman and Papua New Guinea on October 17, with Scotland and Bangladesh, the other teams in Group B, clashing in the evening match.

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Ireland, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, and Namibia — making up Group A — will be seen facing each other in Abu Dhabi the next day, with Round 1 matches running till October 22. The top two teams in each group will proceed to the Super 12 stage of the tournament, beginning on October 23.