ICC T20 World Cup 2026 schedule, groups leaked; India vs Pakistan clash on....
Published - 22 Nov 2025, 12:08 PM | Updated - 22 Nov 2025, 12:14 PM
Table of Contents
The leaked schedule of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 has brought two very different stories for the co-hosts India and Sri Lanka. The defending champions, India, will begin their campaign against the USA at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 8.
As reported by Cricbuzz, the Indian cricket team, the world’s number one-ranked team, has been slotted in one of the most comfortable groups of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. But the eighth-ranked Sri Lanka has been pushed into one of the toughest groups of the mega event.
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 schedule reveals a big advantage for India
Sri Lanka has been reportedly slotted alongside Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman. Even though Ireland and Oman are lower-ranked teams, they have a habit of making things tricky in the high-pressure games in the shortest format of the game.
Read Also: Gautam Gambhir cleared as Delhi High Court drops criminal case in COVID-19 drug hoarding row
On the other hand, India is grouped alongside Pakistan, the Netherlands, Namibia, and the USA. The Netherlands, Namibia, and the USA are all competitive but less threatening compared to Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman.
With the top two teams going through from each group, India and Pakistan have a clear path to the Super Eight stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
England and South Africa face a tough battle as the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 format is revealed
Meanwhile, the tournament has four groups of five teams each, and one group looks extremely dangerous. England and the West Indies have reportedly been slotted with Bangladesh, which is a strong team in subcontinental conditions, Nepal, and the debutant team, Italy.
South Africa, the runners-up from the last edition, also face a tough challenge. Their group includes New Zealand and Afghanistan, two sides known for their fearless cricket. The UAE and Canada complete the lineup, but South Africa’s biggest threat will be New Zealand and Afghanistan.
The format of the T20 World Cup remains the same, as the top two teams from each pool will enter the Super Eight stage. From there, the best four sides will move into the semifinals, and the top two teams will battle it out for the championship.
Read Also: Jasprit Bumrah rattles Aiden Markram’s stumps with a ripper on Day 1 of Guwahati Test
India-Pakistan game set for February 15
On the other hand, India will begin their ICC T20 World Cup title defense against the USA on February 8 in Ahmedabad, followed by matches against Namibia on February 12 in Delhi, Pakistan on February 15 in Colombo, and the Netherlands on February 18 in Mumbai.
However, all eyes will be on the India-Pakistan clash, and if the defending champions qualify, their semifinal is scheduled to be held in Mumbai on March 5. Well, India’s leg will be held in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad, while Kandy and Colombo will be for Sri Lanka’s leg.
Ahmedabad is also likely to host the final of the showpiece event, but if Pakistan reaches the title clash, it will be shifted to Colombo. Apart from Mumbai, Kolkata is also another option for a semifinal, while Colombo is also being considered for one semifinal and the final if Pakistan qualifies.
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Groups:
Group 1 - India, Pakistan, USA, Namibia, Netherlands.
Group 2 - Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman.
Group 3 - England, West Indies, Italy, Bangladesh, Nepal
Group 4 - South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE, Canada
India’s reported ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule:
February 8: India vs USA, Ahmedabad
February 12: India vs Namibia, Delhi
February 15: India vs Pakistan, Colombo
February 18: India vs Netherlands, Mumbai
Super 8 Stage:
February 22: Ahmedabad
February 26: Chennai
March 1: Kolkata
Knockouts:
March 4: Semifinal, Colombo
March 5: Semifinal, Mumbai
March 8: Final
As reported earlier, and here's more crucial dates for T20 World Cup:
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) November 21, 2025
8 Feb: India vs US
12 Feb India vs Namibia Delhi
15 Feb India vs Pakistan Colombo
18 India vs Netherlands Mumbai
22 Feb Super 8 Ahmedabad
26 Feb Super 8 Chennai
1 March Super 8 Kolkata
4 March Semi… https://t.co/wZd7Sn1cXd
Tagged:
ICC T20 World Cup India National Cricket Team India vs Pakistan Pakistan National Cricket Team T20 World CupAbout the Author
Rashmi Wasnik is a passionate content writer with over a decade of experience. She started her journ... Read more
