Report By Maqsood Ahmed.
The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will take place from 7 February to 8 March, with the official schedule set to be announced on 25 November.
According to media reports, the 20 participating teams will be divided into four groups of five. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super 8 stage. Pakistan and India are expected to be placed in the same group, with their high-profile match scheduled for 15 February in Colombo. Their group is likely to include the Netherlands, Namibia and the USA.
Co-host Sri Lanka’s group is expected to feature Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Oman.
England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal and Italy are likely to form one group, while South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE and Canada are expected to make up another.
Matches in India will be held in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi and Ahmedabad. In Sri Lanka, fixtures will take place in Colombo and Kandy, while Pakistan will play all its matches in Sri Lanka.
Ahmedabad has been selected to host the final, but if Pakistan reaches the final, the match will instead be played in Colombo.
Mumbai and Kolkata have been chosen as the semi-final venues; however, final decisions will depend on the qualifying teams. If Pakistan enters the semi-finals, their match will be held in Sri Lanka.