Arch-rivals India and Pakistan have been placed in the same ground for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. As Pakistan cricket team is not allowed India due to political tensions, India will travel to Sri Lanka to face them in Colombo. The high voltage clash will take place on February 15. The scheduled for the tournament will be unveiled by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Mumbai on November 25.
Apart from India, USA and Netherlands and Namibia are part of the group as well. It is a relatively easier group for India and Pakistan. However, it is to be noted that co-hosts of previous T20 World Cup, USA beat Pakistan in their group stage encounter.
Before travelling to Colombo, India will begin their campaign at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on February 7, the opening day of the marquee tournament. Their next clash is in Delhi against Namibia on February 12. After coming back from Colombo, India will travel to Ahmedabad where they will go up against Netherlands at Narendra Modi Stadium on February 18.
The final of the tournament is set to be played on March 8. If Pakistan manage to reach the final, it will be played on Sri Lankan soil. As many as 20 teams are participating in the mega event. They have been divided into four groups with five teams each. The top two teams of each group will advance to the Super Eight stage. Then, there will be two groups of four. The top two teams of each group will progress to the knockout stage, the semifinals.
Here is a list of other teams participating in the T20 World Cup — Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, Italy, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Oman and UAE.
What happened the last time India took on Pakistan in Colombo?
India-Pakistan's previous T20 clash in Colombo was in T20 World Cup 2012. In the group stage match, India beat Pakistan by eight wickets with three overs to spare as Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 61-ball 78. Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in the semifinal. West Indies went on to win their maiden T20 World Cup title.
India-Pakistan T20 World Cup head-to-head
The Salman Agha-led side was recently beaten thrice in the T20 Asia Cup 2025. Pakistan don’t have a promising T20 World Cup record against India. India have won seven out of eight T20 World Cup clashes against Pakistan. The only glitch in the matrix was in T20 World Cup 2021 when Pakistan beat India by 10 wickets.