The most anticipated fixture in world cricket, Pakistan vs India, is set to ignite the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with the clash scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, according to ESPNcricinfo.
The 2026 tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will run from February 7 to March 8, featuring 20 teams divided into five groups of four. Under the hybrid hosting model, Pakistan will play all their matches in Colombo or Kandy, a mutually agreed arrangement ensuring that India and Pakistan do not tour each other during ICC events. This model has previously been applied in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.
The tournament format will mirror the 2024 T20 World Cup, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the Super Eight stage, followed by semi-finals and the final.
According to the report, Pakistan and India are in the same group alongside the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia. The R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo will host the high-profile Pakistan–India clash.
Other groups reportedly include:
- Group 2: Sri Lanka, Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman
- Group 3: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, Italy
- Group 4: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE, Canada
India, the defending champions and co-hosts, will open their campaign against the USA in Mumbai on February 7, followed by matches against Namibia in Delhi on February 12, Pakistan in Colombo on February 15, and the Netherlands in Ahmedabad on February 18. The group stage will feature three matches per day.
If India advance to the Super Eight, matches are expected in Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Kolkata, with the first semi-final in Mumbai. The second semi-final could take place in Colombo or Kolkata, depending on whether Pakistan and Sri Lanka qualify.
The final is scheduled for Ahmedabad, unless Pakistan reach the title clash, in which case Colombo is likely to host the decider. The ICC is expected to officially announce the full schedule later this week.
