The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the match schedule for the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 Championship tournament to be held in Sri Lanka and unveiled the event logo.

Sri Lanka will host the event between September 18 and October 7, 2012.

A total of 42 matches, including 27 men's and 15 women's matches, will be played over 20 days at four venues - R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Pallekele, Hambanthota and Galle, with 2012 ICC World Twenty20 Championship tournament hosting the finals on Sunday 7 October.

The men's matches will be played in Colombo, Pallekele and Hambanthota and the women's tournament will be played in Galle.

Four groups of three in a preliminary round compete for the Super Eight Round. The top two teams of each group will advance to the Super eight round consisting two groups.

Sri Lanka is grouped together with South Africa and Zimbabwe in Group C. England, India, and Qualifier 2 are in Group A, Australia, West Indies, and Qualifier 1 are grouped in Group B and Group D comprises Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh.

Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2 will be selected from the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2012, which will be staged in the United Arab Emirates from March 13-14, 2012.

Sri Lanka, the runner-up of last year's tournament will open the tournament playing against Zimbabwe at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambanthota on September 18, 2012.

The defending champion England will face off with India on September 21, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

The two semi-final and the final matches will be held at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

The women's tournament will begin on September 276, 2012 in Galle.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat unveiling the event logo in Colombo today expressed confidence in Sri Lanka to deliver a world class event.

"Following the legacies and success of the recent ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, I am confident that the hosts, Sri Lanka, will deliver a world class event," he said.

He assured that the tickets for the matches will be reasonably priced for everyone to enjoy the event.

Logart unveiled the event logo "Modern Spin" which is coloured in strong reds and oranges toreflect the culture of Sri Lanka.

Tickets are planned to go on sale to the public from 1 March 2012 and will be available via website and box office sales in Sri Lanka.