ICC bends T20 World Cup 2026 rules for Pakistan, Sri Lanka; chaos erupts over semi-finals venues
Published - 24 Feb 2026, 11:21 AM | Updated - 24 Feb 2026, 11:34 PM
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The International Cricket Council (ICC) is in a dilemma because of the venues for the Semi-finals of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Because of Sri Lanka and Pakistan, they are yet to finalise the venues, which can affect the original plans.
According to the latest reports, the venues for the semi-finals will be decided as soon as Sri Lanka and Pakistan's future in the Super 8 phase is confirmed. If Pakistan and Sri Lanka qualify for the semi-finals, then the venues can be shifted to Sri Lanka.
Where will the Semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2026 be?
As Pakistan will not travel to India due to geopolitical tensions with India, the venue can be shifted. And if Sri Lanka, the co-host of the T20 World Cup 2026 gets to play the semis, then they may be allowed to play on their home soil. But if India qualifies, the equation can be changed again, until India is scheduled to face Pakistan.
According to a report published by ESPNcricinfo, if Sri Lanka are drawn to meet anyone other than India, and if Pakistan do not make the semi-finals, the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo will host the match in what appears to be a change to the ICC's original schedule announcement and the tournament playing conditions. The final decision will be taken based on the issues related to logistics.
As of now, the venues for the 2026 T20 World Cup Semi-finals are dependent on three factors, such as:
1. The agreements for the semi-final 1 can be done either in Kolkata or in Colombo.
2. In case Pakistan qualifies for the semi-finals, they will play in semi-final 1 in Colombo on 4 March.
3. If Sri Lanka qualifies and faces someone other than India, then the semi-final 1 will be in Colombo.
The ICC also hinted that if Pakistan and Sri Lanka are both unable to qualify for the Semi-finals, then the two matches will be in India, where Kolkata and Mumbai will be the two venues for the two semi-finals. If India confirms a semifinal spot and plays someone other than Pakistan, then India's semifinal match will be held in Mumbai.
What will happen if none of India, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka qualifies for the 2026 T20 World Cup semifinals?
The report further explains that if none of India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka qualifies, the team that finishes first in Group 1 of the Super Eight of the T20 World Cup 2026 will play the second-placed team from Group 2 in Kolkata, and the Group 2 winner will play the Group 1 runners-up in Mumbai.
"If Pakistan qualifies for the semi-finals, Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium will replace Kolkata as the host of Semi-Final 1. Should Pakistan reach the final, that venue will also shift from Ahmedabad to Colombo. If India and Pakistan meet in the semi-finals, that match will be staged in Colombo, while Mumbai will host Semi-Final 2 involving India if they face any team other than Pakistan", according to an official release.
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