The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally unveiled the venues and match schedule for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, confirming India and Sri Lanka as joint hosts for the highly anticipated global tournament. The announcement has generated immediate excitement, particularly among Pakistani fans, as the national team is set to play all its matches exclusively in Sri Lanka.
The tournament will be staged across eight venues — five in India and three in Sri Lanka. India’s fixtures will be held in Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Mumbai, marking a return of major ICC events to some of the country’s most iconic cricket grounds. In Sri Lanka, two stadiums in Colombo and one in Kandy will host the matches, offering a smooth logistical layout for teams placed in the Sri Lanka leg.
According to the official ICC draw, the 20 qualifying teams have been distributed into four groups. Pakistan has been placed in Group A alongside India, the United States, Namibia and the Netherlands. The national team will open its campaign on 7 February against the Netherlands in Sri Lanka.
As confirmed by the ICC, the entire group-stage itinerary for Pakistan will be played on Sri Lankan soil, a decision that aligns with the regional hosting arrangement and ensures minimal travel for the team. One of the most anticipated fixtures of the tournament, the Pakistan vs India clash, has been scheduled for 15 February in Colombo. The match is expected to draw global attention, as previous World Cup encounters between the two rivals have consistently set viewership records.
The 2026 T20 World Cup will begin on 7 February and conclude on 8 March, making it one of the earliest editions in the calendar year. Three matches are scheduled for the opening day, setting a fast-paced tone for the month-long championship.
With the expanded lineup of 20 teams and multi-nation hosting, ICC aims to further elevate the T20 format’s global reach. For Pakistan, playing in Sri Lanka could prove beneficial given the team’s familiarity with Sri Lankan conditions and spin-friendly surfaces.
As cricket fans await team announcements, squad strategies and warm-up match details, excitement continues to build for what promises to be one of the most competitive T20 World Cup editions in recent years.
