5. Netherlands vs South Africa

On paper, this fixture may not appear to be a traditional rivalry, but recent history has turned it into a daunting contest for South Africa. The Netherlands have repeatedly shocked the Proteas on the global stage, most notably with memorable wins in the 2022 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup. Those results changed the narrative, transforming what was once a routine matchup into one loaded with tension and expectation whenever the two sides face each other.

For the Dutch, these victories were statements of intent rather than lucky upsets, highlighting their growth and ability to thrive under pressure. For South Africa, however, the matchup now carries a psychological burden shaped by past disappointments. If the two teams cross paths again at the T20 World Cup 2026, fans can expect a fiercely contested encounter. Historically, South Africa still lead the T20I head-to-head with two wins from three matches, while the Netherlands have one victory to their credit.

4. South Africa vs Australia

This rivalry is defined by fierce competition and consistently high standards of cricket. South Africa and Australia have shared numerous iconic moments across formats, particularly in ICC tournaments, where Australia have often emerged on top. Their clashes are marked by intensity, quality, and a history that adds extra edge whenever these two heavyweights meet on the global stage.

Despite being regular rivals, the teams have faced each other only twice in T20 World Cup history, with Australia winning both encounters to underline their dominance. However, South Africa, fresh from reaching the 2024 T20 World Cup final, will be eager to shift the balance in 2026. In overall T20Is, Australia lead convincingly with 19 wins from 28 matches, while South Africa have secured nine victories.

3. England vs Australia

Cricket's most famous battle is the Ashes, with all its history (as evidenced by the two nations owning a combined 14 World Cup trophies) landing in the T20 World Cup and other ICC tournaments, this continuing tradition of competition between these two sides can be dated back to their first meeting in 1877. The most famous moment between them occurred when England beat Australia in the ICC 2010 T20 World Cup final (also known as Black Saturday) to win its first World Cup Title, while also adding to the ever-growing collection of historical moments in a historic battle between these sides.

As previously stated, since 2010, both teams have held the upper hand in ICC tournaments. England won the 2019 ODI World Cup, but in the following years, Australia has continued to dominate the cricketing world and win ICC tournaments in all three formats. In T20 cricket, both sides sit on equal ground, with 12 victories apiece from their 24 games, but two games have also been called no result.

2. India vs Australia

When it comes to the international limited-overs game, few rivalries rival that of India and Australia. Across all formats of the game, there has been an abundance of quality cricket produced by the two sides; especially in terms of close series played at times of great pressure – whether it be bilateral series or ICC events. Australia's ability to lift their performance on the international stage has also been a factor in testing India's abilities, however, India's squad depth and the variety of strategies and tactics they can employ on the day ensures that their rivalry is maintained at a very high level of competitiveness between the two countries.

Some of the most memorable performances from this history include Yuvraj Singh's 6 in 6 in the semifinal of the first T20 World Cup, and Rohit Sharma's spectacular innings in the 2024 edition. If the two sides to meet again in this T20 World Cup, it is sure to be another exciting series. In their previous encounters, India have had the most success with 20 victories out of 32 T20I matches against Australia, while there have been 11 wins for Australia and one no result due to weather.

1. India vs Pakistan

When arch-rivals India and Pakistan face off, the intensity is unmatched in white-ball cricket. These contests dominate global headlines, shatter viewership records, and carry an emotional weight unlike any other fixture. The stakes rise even higher at World Cups, where a single match can shape careers, define legacies, and become etched in cricketing folklore for generations of fans on both sides.

Recent ICC events have delivered nerve-wracking, high-pressure battles between the two sides, with momentum swinging dramatically based on conditions and execution. Iconic moments such as Sreesanth’s title-winning catch in 2007, Shaheen Afridi’s devastating spell in 2021, and Virat Kohli’s unforgettable MCG masterclass highlight the richness of this rivalry. The next chapter unfolds on February 15 in Colombo, with India holding a dominant T20I edge, winning 13 of their 16 meetings.