Cricket: India to face Pakistan in title defence as ICC reveals 2026 T20 World Cup Schedule
Cricket’s fiercest rivalry reignites at the 2026 T20 World Cup
Cricket fans are not short of entertainment over the next few months, with the Ashes already underway, the 2026 T20 World Cup to kick off on February 7, and the Indian Premier League set to burst into life a week after the global T20 competition ends.
Not to mention, India and South Africa are set to face off in the first of their three ODIs this week, and our cricket predictions will be covering all of these matches, so be sure to check them out for all the need-to-know stats and insights.
On Tuesday, the International Cricket Council completed the draw for the T20 World Cup next year, with all 20 nations now allocated to four groups comprising five teams each, with the top two from each group progressing to the Super 8.
The draw has pitted arch-rivals India and Pakistan against each other in Group A, meaning that they will once again cross paths at a major global ICC event, with the date of their blockbuster clash confirmed for February 15, in neutral Colombo.
The tournament will be staged across eight venues in total - five in India and three in Sri Lanka. The final is slated to be held in Ahmedabad on March 8, but as was the case at the Asia Cup earlier this year, the venue will be changed to Colombo if Pakistan reach that stage.
The last time India and Pakistan met, the Men in Blue won the Asia Cup but refused to receive their winners' medals or trophy from PCB boss Mohsin Naqvi, and another heated battle is expected when these bitter rivals meet again in March.
2026 T20 World Cup draw and confirmed groups
India and Pakistan are joined by the United States, the Netherlands and Namibia in Group A, and while the two arch-rivals are expected to progress, the US cannot be ruled out after their incredible performance in the previous edition, where they reached the last eight.
Group B is arguably the toughest to call. Australia headline this section and are firmly the front-runners to win the group according to the best online betting sites, but behind them, it’s anyone’s for the taking between Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Oman.
Italy will be making their T20 World Cup debut next year, and they have been drawn into Group C, alongside two-time champions England, the West Indies, Bangladesh, and the steadily improving Nepal.
The final group is another that is likely to be fiercely competitive, with New Zealand, South Africa and Afghanistan expected to tussle for top spot, while the United Arab Emirates and Canada will be looking to upset the odds.
Group A: India, Pakistan, United States, Netherlands, Namibia
Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman
Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, Italy
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, United Arab Emirates
