Archrivals India and Pakistan to face off in Group A of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 amid political tensions and cricketing rivalry.

Cricket fans around the world are gearing up for one of the most anticipated matches of the T20 World Cup 2026 as India and Pakistan prepare to meet in a high-stakes clash in Colombo on February 15, 2026. The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the tournament draw on Tuesday, confirming the fixtures for the 20-team event, which will be hosted across India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026.

Tournament Structure and Venues

The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will feature 20 teams divided into five groups of four. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Eight stage, followed by semifinals and the final. The final is scheduled for March 8 in Ahmedabad, India, but if Pakistan reaches the final, it will be moved to Colombo due to ongoing political tensions between the two nations.

Matches will be held across eight venues, including five in India and three in Sri Lanka, ensuring a wide geographic spread for fans across the subcontinent.

India-Pakistan Group A Match

The Group A showdown between India and Pakistan is already being described as a politically and emotionally charged fixture, reflecting the intense rivalry between the two cricketing nations. Pakistan will play all of its matches in Sri Lanka because of strained relations with India, ensuring neutral grounds for the encounter.

Defending champions India will open their Group A campaign against the United States in Mumbai on February 7. Other teams in Group A include Pakistan and additional qualifiers, making the group a competitive stage for early-round action.

Other Groups in T20 World Cup 2026

• Group B: Sri Lanka, Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Oman
• Group C: England, West Indies, Italy (first-timers), Bangladesh, Nepal
• Group D: New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, United Arab Emirates

The top four teams from the Super Eight stage will progress to the semifinals, culminating in the championship match in March.

Star Players to Watch

India will rely on its formidable bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah, while Pakistan’s lineup will feature key players such as Shaheen Shah Afridi. Fans can also expect thrilling batting performances from Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, making the India-Pakistan clash a must-watch encounter.

The rivalry between India and Pakistan is one of cricket’s most intense, often bringing political undertones into sporting contests. The last Asia Cup in September 2025 highlighted this tension, as India refused to accept the winners’ trophy from Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, following a military conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors earlier that year.