Arch rivals India and Pakistan were lumped together in the same group and will meet on February 15 in Colombo in the T20 World Cup, cricket’s world body said Tuesday.
Title-holders India and Pakistan were drawn in Group A for the 20-team event, which will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka, according to a schedule announced by cricket’s global governing body in Mumbai.
It will be the first meeting between the two sides since their three ill-tempered games at the Asia Cup in the UAE because they left out the handshake at toss and post-match greetings.
The riva competition was their first face-to-face clash since deadly border fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbours in May.
Pakistan will contest all their matches of the Twenty20 world cup in Sri Lanka, a compromise arranged with India to enable both countries play on neutral venues in multi-nation events.
They will be played from February 7 at five venues in India and three in Sri Lanka.
The UAE, meanwhile will play Group D comprising South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan and Canada.
A total of 40 group matches and the top two from each pool advance to the Super Eights, which begin on February 21.
The four top teams in the Super Eights make it to the knockout stage of the tournament with semifinals scheduled in Kolkata/Colombo and Mumbai before the final on 8 March in Ahmedabad/Colombo.
Cricket-obsessed India, the world´s most populous country, is the T20 game’s driving force with its lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL), which counts the modern greats among its star turns.
The format will mirror 2024 — 20 sides in four groups, followed by a Super Eights phase and then playoffs as the top two from each group advance.
The final will take place on March 8th, in either Ahmedabad or Colombo (Pakistan’s team go to the end).
India was the defending champion at the sport’s showcase T20 tournament, in its 10th edition, after defeating South Africa by seven runs in 2024 in Barbados.
India and Sri Lanka are jointly hosting the T20 World Cup for its second edition. Hosted by Sri Lanka in 2012 and India in 2016, both the editions were won by West Indies.
Rohit Sharma, who captained India to the 2024 T20 World Cup victory, was announced as brand ambassador for the next edition of the tournament.
“It is fantastic to have the tournament back in India and for me to be playing some cricket and be involved in this manner again, but with a new role as brand ambassador,” Rohit said.
“I want everyone to enjoy India’s hospitality and have a great time and take back lots of memories,” she concluded wishing all the players good luck.
It is India’s second title, having also won in 2004 under the captaincy of Shikar Dhawan while England have also done it twice (2010 and 2022) as have Pakistan (2009), Sri Lanka (2014) and Australia (2021).
What you need to know:
2026 T20 World Cup
Where: India and Sri Lanka
When: February 7-March 8
Teams: 20
Matches: 40
Venues: 8 (five in India, three in Sri Lanka)
Defending champions: India
Groups:
Group A: India, USA, Namibia, Netherlands, Pakistan
Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman
Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy, Nepal
Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE