Cricket latest
Synopsis
India vs Pakistan match date: The Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is set to feature a highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan on February 15th in Colombo. This will be the rivals’ first meeting since the 2025 Asia Cup, with both teams placed in the same group alongside USA, Netherlands, and Namibia.
Another India vs Pakistan cricket match is on the horizon.
As the Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup date nears, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has likely scheduled the marquee India vs Pakistan clash for February 15, 2026, as per a report by ESPNcricinfo. The 2026 edition will run from February 7 to March 8 and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Also Read: India win cricket’s first blind women’s T20 World Cup
The match will be played at the R Premadasa Stadium and will be India’s third group-stage fixture, according to details learned by ESPNcricinfo ahead of the ICC’s official schedule release in Mumbai on Tuesday.
This will also be the first clash between the rivals since their tense encounters at the 2025 Asia Cup.
As per the report, India and Pakistan have been placed in the same group along with USA, Netherlands and Namibia.
India’s group-stage path
India, the reigning champions, will open their campaign against USA on February 7 in Mumbai, the opening day of the tournament.
Their second match will be against Namibia in Delhi on February 12, followed by the marquee India–Pakistan face-off in Colombo. The final group match will be against the Netherlands in Ahmedabad on February 18.
Also Read: Men’s T20 World Cup 2026- We still have three months to get where we want to be, says Gautam Gambhir
Pakistan will play all their group games in Colombo or Kandy. The tournament format remains unchanged from 2024: 20 teams in four groups of five each, with the top two from every group advancing to the Super Eights and then to the knockouts.
If India qualify for the Super Eight stage, their three matches will be played in Ahmedabad, Chennai and Kolkata. A semi-final spot would take them to Mumbai, while the second semi-final is expected to be held either in Colombo or Kolkata depending on whether Sri Lanka or Pakistan advance.
The final will be played in Ahmedabad unless Pakistan qualify, in which case Colombo is the likely venue.
Venues and host countries
The ICC has shortlisted multiple venues across India and Sri Lanka for the month-long tournament, PTI had reported earlier this month.
While group-stage matches will be played in Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Colombo and Kandy, the knockout venues will rotate based on team qualification scenarios.
The final is scheduled in Ahmedabad, a venue that has become the preferred host for major ICC finals in recent years.
T20 World Cup participating teams
Along with hosts India and Sri Lanka, the other 18 teams competing are: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, USA, West Indies, New Zealand, Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Oman and UAE.
India enter the tournament as defending champions after defeating South Africa in the 2024 final in Barbados.