On India-Pakistan matches: ICC admits to 'fixing' draws in global events for 'massive kick'

Men in Blue, who are the defending champions, will begin their campaign in ICC Champions Trophy 2017 against Pakistan at Edgbaston.

New Delhi: Keeping in mind the interest of millions of cricket fans, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has agreed to tweaking with the draws of major events to get India and Pakistan into the same group.

Once again, in the schedule released for ICC Champions Trophy 2017, the arch-rivals have been put in the same group.

"No doubt, we try to put India versus Pakistan in our event," said ICC chief executive Dave Richardson, according to a report in 'The Telegraph'.

"It's hugely important from an ICC point of view. It's massive around the world and the fans have come to expect it as well. It's fantastic for the tournament because it gives it a massive kick."

Men in Blue, who are the defending champions, will begin their campaign against Pakistan at Edgbaston.

Richardson however went on to deny that tweaking of draws had a negative impact on the integrity or fairness of the tournament.

“What we try and do is make sure that when you add up the rankings of the different groups, they all add up to the same number of points. You can do that in a number of ways. So long as the pools are balanced, it’s silly to avoid [the fixture] when you can fairly cater for it.”