T20 World Cup 2026 schedule: IND vs PAK on Feb 15 as ICC announces dates and venues

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on November 25 unveiled the full schedule for the 2026 T20 World Cup at a special event in Mumbai, confirming that the tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. A total of 55 matches will be played across eight venues over the course of a month, with 20 teams split into four groups of five before progressing into the Super Eight stage and the knockouts.Defending champions India have been placed in Group A, where they will renew their fierce rivalry with Pakistan, alongside the United States, Netherlands and Namibia. With a mix of familiar opponents and high-pressure fixtures, India’s group-stage run has been carefully mapped out across three Indian cities and Colombo.As per the confirmed schedule, India will begin their campaign on February 7 against the USA in Mumbai, followed by a clash against Namibia on February 12 in New Delhi..preferred-source-banner{ margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:10px;}All eyes, however, will be on the blockbuster India vs Pakistan encounter on February 15 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo — a contest that is expected to draw global attention and could play a decisive role in shaping the Super Eight equation. India will wrap up their group-stage campaign against the Netherlands on February 18 in Ahmedabad at the Narendra Modi Stadium.Among the key talking points from the unveiling was the decision to stage three group-stage matches per day, with fixtures set for 11 am, 3 pm and 7 pm.Former India T20I captain Rohit Sharma, who led the side to their 2024 title triumph, was present at the announcement ceremony alongside India Women’s World Cup-winning skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and current men’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav. During the event, ICC Chairman Jay Shah also revealed that Rohit Sharma has been named the brand ambassador for the T20 World Cup 2026.India head into the tournament as the reigning champions after clinching their second T20 World Cup crown in 2024 with a dramatic seven-run victory over South Africa in the final in Barbados. That win added to their historic maiden title in 2007 and reinforced their reputation as one of the major forces in the shortest format.T20 World Cup 2026: Format and groupsThe 20 teams have been divided into four groups of five, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the Super Eight stage.Group A: India, Pakistan, United States, Netherlands, NamibiaGroup B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe, OmanGroup C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, ItalyGroup D: New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, United Arab EmiratesAccording to the tournament blueprint, India’s Super Eight fixtures — should they progress — will be played in Ahmedabad, Chennai and Kolkata. In the event of a semi-final qualification, India will feature in Mumbai. The second semi-final is slated for Colombo or Kolkata, depending on whether Pakistan or Sri Lanka makes the last four. The final is scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad, with Colombo designated as the alternate venue should Pakistan reach the title clash.Host venuesIndiaDelhi – Arun Jaitley StadiumAhmedabad – Narendra Modi StadiumMumbai – Wankhede StadiumChennai – MA Chidambaram StadiumKolkata – Eden GardensSri LankaColombo – R Premadasa StadiumColombo – Sinhalese Sports ClubKandy – Pallekele International StadiumT20 World Cup 2026: India’s group-stage fixtures07 February 2026 – India vs USA, Mumbai12 February 2026 – India vs Namibia, New Delhi15 February 6 – India vs Pakistan, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo18 February 2026 – India vs Netherlands, AhmedabadT20 World Cup 2026: Full fixture:07 Feb 2026 – Saturday11:00 AM – Pakistan vs Netherlands – SSC, Colombo3:00 PM – West Indies vs Bangladesh – Kolkata7:00 PM – India vs USA – Mumbai08 Feb 2026 – Sunday11:00 AM – New Zealand vs Afghanistan – Chennai3:00 PM – England vs Nepal – Mumbai7:00 PM – Sri Lanka vs Ireland – Premadasa, Colombo09 Feb 2026 – Monday11:00 AM – Bangladesh vs Italy – Kolkata3:00 PM – Zimbabwe vs Oman – SSC, Colombo7:00 PM – South Africa vs Canada – Ahmedabad10 Feb 2026 – Tuesday11:00 AM – Netherlands vs Namibia – Delhi3:00 PM – New Zealand vs UAE – Chennai7:00 PM – Pakistan vs USA – SSC, Colombo11 Feb 2026 – Wednesday11:00 AM – South Africa vs Afghanistan – Ahmedabad3:00 PM – Australia vs Ireland – Premadasa, Colombo7:00 PM – England vs West Indies – Mumbai12 Feb 2026 – Thursday11:00 AM – Sri Lanka vs Oman – Kandy3:00 PM – Nepal vs Italy – Mumbai7:00 PM – India vs Namibia – Delhi13 Feb 2026 – Friday11:00 AM – Australia vs Zimbabwe – Premadasa, Colombo3:00 PM – Canada vs UAE – Delhi7:00 PM – USA vs Netherlands – Chennai14 Feb 2026 – Saturday11:00 AM – Ireland vs Oman – SSC, Colombo3:00 PM – England vs Bangladesh – Kolkata7:00 PM – New Zealand vs South Africa – Ahmedabad15 Feb 2026 – Sunday11:00 AM – West Indies vs Nepal – Mumbai3:00 PM – USA vs Namibia – Chennai7:00 PM – India vs Pakistan – Premadasa, Colombo16 Feb 2026 – Monday11:00 AM – Afghanistan vs UAE – Delhi3:00 PM – England vs Italy – Kolkata7:00 PM – Australia vs Sri Lanka – KandySuper 8 phase26 Feb 2026 – Thursday3:00 PM – X3 vs X4 – Ahmedabad7:00 PM – X1 vs X2 – Chennai27 Feb 2026 – Friday7:00 PM – Y1 vs Y2 – Premadasa, Colombo28 Feb 2026 – Saturday7:00 PM – Y3 vs Y4 – Kandy01 Mar 2026 – Sunday3:00 PM – X2 vs X4 – Delhi7:00 PM – X1 vs X3 – KolkataKnockouts04 Mar 2026 – Wednesday7:00 PM – Semi Final 1 – Kolkata Premadasa, Colombo05 Mar 2026 – Thursday7:00 PM – Semi Final 2 – Mumbai08 Mar 6 – Sunday7:00 PM – FINAL – Premadasa, Colombo AhmedabadWith the fixture list now locked in, teams will shift focus to squad selection, workload management and tactical preparation as one of the most anticipated editions of the T20 World Cup edges closer — with the India–Pakistan showdown set to headline the group stage.- EndsPublished By: Debodinna ChakrabortyPublished On: Nov 25, 2025Also Read | IND vs SA: Early blows in 549 chase kill draw hopes as India face another home sweepMust Watch