India will meet Pakistan on 15 February in Colombo in what is already being labelled the headline fixture of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup. The full schedule, due to be released by the ICC in Mumbai on Tuesday, places the neighbours in a five-team group alongside USA, Namibia and the Netherlands.
India begin their campaign against the USA in Mumbai on the opening day, 7 February, before travelling to Delhi to face Namibia on 12 February. The Pakistan match follows three days later at the R Premadasa Stadium, and the group stage for Rohit Sharma’s side finishes in Ahmedabad against the Netherlands on 18 February. Three games are slated per day during the first phase.
“It’s a balanced pool and, as ever, the players know one slip can be costly,” an ICC tournament official said on Monday. “Logistically, Colombo works best for Pakistan, while India alternate between home venues and Sri Lanka to ease travel loads.”
The event, running from 7 February to 8 March, will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Pakistan will play all their matches in Colombo or Kandy. The format mirrors 2024: 20 teams divided into five groups of four, the top two in each progressing to a Super Eight round (two groups of four), followed by semi-finals and a final.
If India progress, their Super Eight fixtures are pencilled in for Ahmedabad, Chennai and Kolkata. Should they reach the last four, their semi-final would be in Mumbai. A second semi-final is expected to be held either in Colombo or Kolkata, the choice hinging on whether Sri Lanka and Pakistan advance. The final is scheduled for Ahmedabad unless Pakistan qualify, in which case it is likely to move to Colombo.
Rahul Dravid, speaking at a BCCI strategy meeting last week, reminded his players that “group stages are tricky; every point matters, and conditions will vary sharply between venues.” Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene welcomed his nation’s share of hosting duties, noting, “Colombo evenings offer just enough seam movement to keep bowlers interested—something neutral fans usually enjoy.”
The 20-team list is identical to the 2024 edition: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, USA, West Indies, New Zealand, Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Oman, UAE, plus hosts India and Sri Lanka.
Defending champions India arrive with confidence after defeating South Africa in Barbados in 2024, yet senior players insist complacency is not an option. “Winning once doesn’t give us a free pass,” Jasprit Bumrah said in a recent podcast. “The margin for error is minimal, especially in T20 cricket.”
Pakistan, meanwhile, will aim to improve on their 2024 showing. Captain Babar Azam told PCB media staff last month, “Colombo feels like a second home for us; we enjoy the conditions there. Still, we respect every opponent, starting with the Netherlands and Namibia who have both upset bigger teams before.”
Ticketing details are expected within a fortnight of the schedule’s release. The ICC has earmarked additional charter flights between Indian and Sri Lankan hubs to cope with supporter demand, particularly around the India–Pakistan weekend.
In total, 55 matches will be played across 12 venues—eight in India and four in Sri Lanka—with day-night double-headers common after the opening week. The governing body says it will publish reserve-day allocations for knock-out fixtures, mindful of the rain disruptions that hampered parts of the 2025 Asia Cup.
While the February timing should reduce monsoon concerns, ground staffs in Colombo and Kandy have already begun relaying pitches to ensure even bounce and adequate drainage. “We’ve learnt a few lessons from past wet seasons,” Sri Lanka Cricket’s curator in Colombo noted. “Come February, we expect firm, fast surfaces that still give spinners a look in late on.”
Key dates at a glance
7 February – Tournament opens, India v USA in Mumbai
12 February – India v Namibia, Delhi
15 February – India v Pakistan, Colombo
18 February – India v Netherlands, Ahmedabad
7–28 February – Group stage (three matches daily)
1–5 March – Super Eights
6–7 March – Semi-finals (Mumbai plus Colombo/Kolkata)
8 March – Final (Ahmedabad or Colombo)
*Final switches to Colombo if Pakistan qualify.
With both tradition and fresh narratives on offer, the 2026 edition already promises a busy month for the cricketing calendar—high-profile showdowns blended with opportunities for emerging nations to spring a surprise or two.
