Pakistan, India placed in same group T20I World Cup 2026

Archrivals Pakistan and India have once again been placed together in the same group for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, according to the schedule released by the International Cricket Council on Tuesday. The highly anticipated fixture between the two sides, widely regarded as the most watched contest in world cricket, will take place on February 15 in Colombo where millions globally are expected to tune in for the clash.

Pakistan, India, Namibia, the Netherlands and the United States form Group A, with the ICC confirming that Pakistan will play all their group-stage matches on Sri Lankan soil. The month-long tournament will run from February 7 to March 8, with a total of eight venues hosting matches—five in India and three in Sri Lanka. While the final is scheduled at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, cricket officials have indicated that venue-related decisions could be reassessed depending on the group-stage outcomes and political considerations, particularly if Pakistan qualify for the title match.

The tournament structure remains unchanged from the 2024 edition. Twenty teams will compete in four groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the Super Eight stage. The top four from the Super Eight will proceed to the semi-finals. Beyond hosts India and Sri Lanka, the event will feature Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, the United States, West Indies, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Oman and the UAE.

Cricket analysts note that Pakistan may benefit from familiar conditions in Sri Lanka, yet they caution that the spread of venues across two countries and varied pitch environments will require tactical adaptability. Broadcast partners expect the Pakistan–India encounter to dominate global sports coverage, further underscoring the significance of the fixture in the broader tournament narrative.