 "India and Pakistan will face each other in February for the first time since Asia Cup. Reuters")
India and Pakistan are set to clash on February 15 in Colombo at the 2026 T20 World Cup, multiple reports stated on Friday. The two teams will find themselves in the same group yet again in the tournament that is set to run from February 7 to March 8 across India and Sri Lanka.
As per reports in Sportstar and Revsportz, India have been grouped with Pakistan, Namibia, Netherlands and the United States.
India schedule for T20 World Cup
The reports state that India will open their campaign against the United States at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 8. The defending champions will then move to Delhi to face Namibia on February 12 before facing Pakistan on 15th in Sri Lanka. India’s final group game will be in Mumbai against Netherlands on February 18.
Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Kolkata are expected to host the Super 8 encounters.
Colombo is likely to host the first semifinal on March 4 while Mumbai will be the venue for the second semifinal on March 5.
The Narendra Modi Stadium is also set to stage the final on March 8.
India-Pakistan hybrid model to continue
The hybrid model arrangement agreed to by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will continue. Pakistan will not play in India and all their games will be scheduled in Sri Lanka. If Pakistan qualify for the semifinal then, they will play at Colombo.
Revsportz reports states that it remains to be seen what will be the venue for the final if Pakistan reach the title match.
T20 World Cup 2026 teams qualified
All 20 teams have qualified for the 2026 T20 World Cup. India will enter the tournament as defending champions while Italy will be making their World Cup debut.
T20 World Cup 2026 teams qualified: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, England, India, Ireland, Italy, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, South Africa, Sri Lanka, UAE, USA, West Indies, Zimbabwe