Cricket’s fiercest rivalry is heading back to center stage as India and Pakistan have been drawn together in Group A of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The International Cricket Council announced the schedule on Tuesday in Mumbai, confirming February 15 in Colombo as the date fans worldwide will be watching closely. This will be the teams’ first encounter since their heated meetings during the 2025 Asia Cup in the UAE, where tension was evident both on and off the field.
Also Read: Ali Khan Tareen Steps Down as Multan Sultans Owner After PCB Declines Renewal
The India-Pakistan rivalry, already one of the most emotionally charged in global sport, intensified in 2025 after a deadly border conflict between the two nations earlier in the year. Their Asia Cup fixtures were marked by frosty moments, including both captains skipping the customary handshake at the toss and after the match. This background sets an even more dramatic tone for their 2026 World Cup showdown.
The upcoming tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7, with matches spread across five venues in India and three in Sri Lanka. As part of a mutual agreement, Pakistan will play all their matches exclusively in Sri Lanka to maintain a neutral environment for both sides in multi-team events. This arrangement was created to ease political sensitivities that often surround bilateral engagements between the two countries.
India enter the 2026 T20 World Cup as defending champions after their thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the 2024 final in Barbados. The win ended India’s long wait for a global title and boosted their momentum ahead of hosting duties. With the sport deeply embedded in India’s cultural fabric, expectations are soaring for another title run on home soil. The nation famously lifted the 50-over World Cup in Mumbai back in 2011, a memory still fresh in the hearts of fans.
The tournament will feature 20 teams divided into four groups, mirroring the format used in 2024. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Eights, followed by the semifinals and the final. The championship match is scheduled for March 8, with Ahmedabad and Colombo shortlisted as potential venues. The final location will depend on Pakistan’s progress—if Pakistan qualify, Colombo will host the final; otherwise, Ahmedabad’s 130,000-seat stadium, the largest cricket arena in the world, is expected to take center stage.
Alongside hosts India and Sri Lanka, teams confirmed for the event include Australia, England, South Africa, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, the West Indies, the United States, and other top performers from the 2024 edition. Zimbabwe, Namibia, Ireland, the Netherlands, Oman, Nepal, and the United Arab Emirates are also part of the lineup. Notably, Italy will make its debut in a men’s T20 World Cup, marking a historic moment for European cricket.
India’s dominance in cricket extends far beyond the national team. The Indian Premier League remains the world’s biggest and most lucrative T20 competition, attracting global stars and massive commercial interest. Recently, India’s women’s team achieved a milestone of their own, winning their first-ever World Cup title after beating South Africa in Mumbai. According to the ICC, digital viewership for the women’s final reached an astonishing 185 million users on JioHotstar, matching men’s T20 World Cup levels.
As the countdown to February begins, anticipation for the India-Pakistan clash continues to grow. Their meetings are rare due to political conditions, making every encounter a global spectacle. With high stakes, fierce pride, and millions glued to screens worldwide, the 2026 T20 World Cup promises to deliver another unforgettable chapter in cricket history.
