After nine years, the T20 World Cup is scheduled to return to the subcontinent. Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the 2026 edition will begin on February 7 and conclude on March 8. The final will take place at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, as previously announced, unless Pakistan advances to the summit match. Sri Lanka would host the championship game in that case.
According to a report in Cricbuzz, India and Pakistan, two bitter rivals, have been placed in the same group once more. This scenario does give some spice to the upcoming World Cup match, especially with India serving as co-hosts, following the contentious events that took place during the 2025 Asia Cup. However, the pivotal clash will take place at a neutral venue in Sri Lanka.
All of Pakistan’s games have been arranged in Sri Lanka in accordance with the neutral venue agreement between the BCCI and PCB.
The group includes Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States in addition to India and Pakistan. Co-hosts Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are in a more difficult group that includes Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman. Zimbabwe and Ireland have shown themselves to be difficult opponents in Twenty20 cricket, but the Australians appear to be the only real danger. Additionally, Oman has demonstrated that they are no pushovers.
England, West Indies, Italy, Bangladesh and Nepal are together in the third group while South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE and Canada are in the fourth group.
