India begin title defence with high-voltage Pakistan clash scheduled early in tournament
Mumbai
India and Pakistan are set to renew one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on February 15 in Colombo, as confirmed by the tournament schedule unveiled in Mumbai on Tuesday. The high-stakes encounter at the R Premadasa Stadium will be India’s third group-stage match and the teams’ first meeting since India dominated their three-match face-off in this year’s Asia Cup.
The 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will run from February 7 to March 8. According to ESPNCricinfo, India and Pakistan are placed in a group alongside the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands. India open their campaign against the USA in Mumbai on February 7, followed by a February 12 clash with Namibia in Delhi. Their final group fixture against the Netherlands will be held at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
Group-stage scheduling will feature three matches per day. All of Pakistan’s fixtures are slated for Colombo or Kandy in keeping with logistical arrangements between the hosts.
The tournament will retain its 20-team format, with five groups of four teams each. The top two from every group will progress to the Super Eight stage, which will then determine the semifinalists. If India qualify for the Super Eight, their matches will be played in Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Kolkata. A potential Indian semifinal has been allotted to Mumbai, while the other semi will be held in Colombo or Kolkata, depending on the qualification of Pakistan or Sri Lanka.
The final is scheduled for Ahmedabad, though a Pakistan appearance could shift the fixture to Colombo.
Defending champions India headline a field that includes Afghanistan, Australia, England, South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand, Bangladesh, USA, Canada, Italy, Namibia, Netherlands, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Oman, and the UAE.
India-Pakistan T20 World Cup Showdown Set for February 15 in Colombo
India and Pakistan will meet in a blockbuster ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash on February 15 in Colombo, according to the schedule released in Mumbai on Tuesday. The contest at the R Premadasa Stadium will be India’s third group-stage match and marks the teams’ first encounter since India swept their high-voltage Asia Cup trilogy earlier this year.
The 2026 edition, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will run from February 7 to March 8. India begin their title defence against the USA on the opening day in Mumbai, followed by a February 12 fixture against Namibia in Delhi. Their final group match will be against the Netherlands at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
India, Pakistan, the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands form Group C. Three matches will be played each day during the group phase. As per the logistical arrangement between hosts, Pakistan will play all group-stage matches only in Colombo or Kandy.
The tournament retains the 20-team structure introduced in 2024. The top two teams from each of the four groups will qualify for the Super Eight stage, where they will be divided into two groups of four. India’s Super Eight fixtures, if they qualify, are slated for Ahmedabad, Chennai and Kolkata. Should India reach the semifinals, their knockout match will be held in Mumbai. The second semifinal will be hosted in Colombo or Kolkata, depending on whether Pakistan or Sri Lanka advance.
GROUP C – INDIA’S GROUP
• India
• Pakistan
• USA
• Namibia
• Netherlands
INDIA’S GROUP-STAGE FIXTURES
- Feb 7: vs USA (Mumbai)
- Feb 12: vs Namibia (Delhi)
- Feb 15: vs Pakistan (Colombo)
- Feb 20: vs Netherlands (Ahmedabad)
TOURNAMENT TIMELINE
- Feb 7–20: Group Stage
- Feb 22–29: Super Eight
- March 4 & 5: Semifinals
- March 8: Final (Ahmedabad*)
*May shift to Colombo if Pakistan qualify.