T20 World Cup 2026: India vs Pakistan Blockbuster Set for February 15 in Colombo
T20 World Cup 2026: India vs Pakistan Blockbuster Set for February 15 in Colombo
India will clash with Pakistan in a mouthwatering T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage encounter at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium on February 15, reigniting one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries just months after India’s Asia Cup 2025 clean sweep.
The ICC unveiled the full schedule in Mumbai, confirming India and Pakistan drawn together in Group A alongside USA, Netherlands, and Namibia. Defending champions India open against USA in Mumbai on February 7, with the tournament running until the March 8 final in Ahmedabad.
India’s Group A Fixtures
Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
Feb 7 | USA | Mumbai (Wankhede Stadium) |
Feb 12 | Namibia | Delhi (Arun Jaitley Stadium) |
Feb 15 | Pakistan | Colombo (R Premadasa Stadium) |
Feb 18 | Netherlands | Ahmedabad (Narendra Modi Stadium) |
Three matches daily during group stages ensure non-stop action across seven venues: Delhi, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai in India; Colombo and Kandy in Sri Lanka.
Full Groups Breakdown
Group A: India, Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, Namibia
Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman
Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, Italy
Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE
Top two from each group advance to Super Eights (two groups of four), with semi-finals and final venues shifting based on India-Pakistan progressions.
Neutral Venue Twist for Knockouts
Under the India-Pakistan agreement:
Pakistan plays all matches in Colombo or Kandy.
If Pakistan reaches semi-finals or final against India, those matches move to Sri Lanka.
India’s Super Eights: Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata.
Final: Ahmedabad (shifts to Colombo if Pakistan qualifies).
Italy debuts in men’s World Cups, while Rohit Sharma—2007 and 2024 T20 World Cup winner—serves as tournament brand ambassador.