Cricket fans around the globe are eagerly anticipating the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, and a high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan is already generating buzz. According to reports, the two arch-rivals are set to face off on February 15, 2026, at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
This match will be the first encounter between the two sides since the 2025 Asia Cup, where India emerged victorious in all three matches against Pakistan, including the final. Both teams are expected to be placed in the same group, along with the USA, Netherlands, and Namibia.
The schedule for the T20 World Cup 2026 is set to be officially unveiled on November 25, 2025, in Mumbai. The tournament itself will run from February 6 to March 8, 2026, featuring a record 20 teams vying for the coveted title. India and Sri Lanka automatically qualify as hosts.
India's campaign is expected to commence against the USA in Mumbai on February 7, followed by a match against Namibia in Delhi on February 12, the highly anticipated clash with Pakistan on February 15, and a final group stage game against the Netherlands in Ahmedabad on February 18. Pakistan will play all their group matches in Sri Lanka, either in Colombo or Kandy.
The tournament format will mirror that of the 2024 edition, with the 20 teams divided into four groups of five. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Eight stage, where they will be further divided into two groups of four. The top two teams from each Super Eight group will then proceed to the semi-finals, followed by the final.
If India qualifies for the Super Eight stage, their matches will be held in Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Kolkata. In the event that India reaches the semi-finals, their match will be hosted in Mumbai. The venue for the second semi-final will be either Colombo or Kolkata, depending on which of Pakistan or Sri Lanka qualifies. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is slated to host the final, unless Pakistan qualifies, in which case the final will be moved to Colombo.
Other potential group configurations have also been suggested. One possibility places Australia alongside Sri Lanka, Oman, Zimbabwe, and Ireland, while England could face the West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Italy. Another group might see South Africa paired with New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates.
The T20 World Cup 2026 will be the 10th edition of the tournament. Five venues in India and three in Sri Lanka have been finalized. Confirmed venues in India include the Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), Arun Jaitley Stadium (Delhi), and M. A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai).
Cricket fans can follow the schedule announcement live on the Star Sports Network and the JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar apps. Updates will also be available on the ICC's official website.
