The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the schedule for the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, placing Pakistan and India in the same group.

Former India captain Rohit Sharma has been appointed as the tournament’s brand ambassador.

The ICC confirmed that the event will take place from February 7 to March 8, 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Matches will be played across eight venues, five in India and three in Sri Lanka.

In India, fixtures will be held at Arun Jaitley Stadium (New Delhi), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), M.A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai), Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), and Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai).

In Sri Lanka, matches will take place at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy), Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), and Sinhalese Sports Club (Colombo).

A total of 20 teams will compete in the tournament, divided into four groups.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 8 stage, where they will again be split into two groups.

The top two from each Super 8 group will progress to the semi-finals.

Pakistan and India are in Group 1 alongside Namibia, the Netherlands, and the USA.

Group 2 features Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Oman.

Group 3 includes England, West Indies, Italy, Bangladesh, and Nepal, while Group 4 has South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE, and Canada.

Pakistan will play all its group-stage matches in Sri Lanka.

The team will open its campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo.

India will begin against the USA on the same day in Mumbai.

The high-voltage clash between Pakistan and India is scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, marking their first encounter since the 2025 Asia Cup.

Semi-finals are slated for March 4 and 5, to be held in Kolkata and Mumbai, with potential relocation to Colombo if Pakistan or Sri Lanka qualify.

The final is set for March 8 in Ahmedabad, but if Pakistan reaches the final, the match will be moved to Colombo.

ICC President Jay Shah confirmed that the T20 World Cup trophy will tour various countries starting December 1.