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T20 World Cup 2026 - Discussion thread

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Ball Blazer

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The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be the 10th edition of the tournament, scheduled from 7 February to 8 March 2026. It will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka and organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The event will follow the Twenty20 International format, featuring group stages, Super 8s, and knockout rounds. A total of 20 teams will play across 55 matches, with India entering as the defending champions after winning the 2024 edition.

India and Sri Lanka qualified automatically as hosts. They will be joined by Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, the United States, and West Indies — the top seven teams from the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup. Based on ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings, Ireland, New Zealand, and Pakistan have also booked their places.

The remaining eight teams earned their spots through regional qualifiers. Canada qualified from the Americas region, Italy and the Netherlands from Europe, Namibia and Zimbabwe from Africa, and Nepal, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates from the combined Asia–EAP region.

This tournament will also mark Italy’s historic debut in a major ICC event. With 20 teams from all continents, the 2026 T20 World Cup promises an exciting blend of experience, competition, and new talent.
 
Ahmedabad, Kolkata shortlisted to host 2026 T20 World Cup semis

The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and the Eden Gardens in Kolkata have been shortlisted for the semifinals of the T20 World Cup slated for February-March next year. Jointly hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the International Cricket Council (ICC) has zeroed in on eight venues for the World Cup.

Five cities in India - Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai besides Ahmedabad and Kolkata - and three venues in Sri Lanka - two stadiums in Colombo and another in Kandy - have been finalised, with no decision yet on the venue for the final. It will depend on which teams reach the title clash and, more crucially, whether one of them is Pakistan. Ahmedabad remains an option to host the final should Pakistan not qualify.

As for the semifinals, should Sri Lanka or Pakistan reach the last four stage, that particular match will be played in Colombo. If neither reaches the last-four stage, both semifinals will be played in India. The final, of course, will be played in Colombo, should Pakistan go that far. The final decisions on these aspects have been kept open-ended.

According to an October 17 ICC release, the 20-team tournament will be played in the same format as the 2024 event in the USA and West Indies with the teams placed in four different groups of five sides each. All 13 Test playing countries apart, Canada, the Netherlands, UAE, Nepal, Oman and Namibia have qualified for the month-long event. European minnows Italy will be the debutants for the global championship.

The group stage will be followed by a Super Eights phase that will include the top two finishers from each group. "The Super Eights will feature two groups of four sides, with the top two finishers from each group then progressing to the knockout semifinals," the ICC said.

India are the defending champions of the World Cup, having won in June 2024, beating South Africa in the final. The ICC is expected to release the schedule, along with the groupings, in a few days.

Saikia-Naqvi meet held outside of ICC purview

Meanwhile, it has been learnt that the meeting between Devajit Saikia and Mohsin Naqvi took place outside of the recent ICC meetings. Sources said the meeting, although facilitated by a couple of ICC officials, was independent of the ICC sessions and that the matter was not discussed even during informal board interactions. Contrary to reports in a section of the media, the issue was never part of the ICC meeting agenda.

The officials of the two boards met to break the deadlock over the Asia Cup Trophy. It was felt by the officials that there is a need to resolve the issue early and as reported by this website, the meeting was held in an atmosphere of cordiality.

 
Italy winning the super over after scoring 20 runs in the last over of the regular match bowled by Raufale is what I'm here for.
 
There are four groups of five teams each, With two sides from each pool qualifying for the Super Eight stage.

India ,Pakistan ,Netherlands ,USA, Nambia = India , Pakistan

SL , Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman = Australia , SL/ Zimbabwe

England, WI, Bangladesh, Nepal and Italy = England and WI

South Africa, NZ , Afghanistan , UAE, Canada = South Africa and Afghanistan/ NZ

:kp
 
Devadwal said:
There are four groups of five teams each, With two sides from each pool qualifying for the Super Eight stage.

India ,Pakistan ,Netherlands ,USA, Nambia = India , Pakistan

SL , Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman = Australia , SL/ Zimbabwe

England, WI, Bangladesh, Nepal and Italy = England and WI

South Africa, NZ , Afghanistan , UAE, Canada = South Africa and Afghanistan/ NZ

:kp
Click to expand...
is this confirmed.
 


India and Sri Lanka, the joint hosts of the Twenty20 World Cup early next year, appear to have received contrasting draws. Top-ranked India are placed, arguably, in an easy cluster - something Pakistan could also claim - but Sri Lanka may not necessarily feel as lucky. The island nation (No 8 in the ICC rankings) is grouped with three other full-member Test-playing sides - Australia (No 2), Zimbabwe (No 11) and Ireland (No 12) - along with Oman (No. 20). It could be a group of death.

On the other hand, India and Pakistan (No 7) are the only Test-playing nations in their bracket, with the Netherlands (No 13), Namibia (No 15) and the USA (No 18) completing the five-team lineup. With two sides from each pool qualifying for the Super Eight stage, it should be a straightforward route for the arch-rivals to advance to the next round irrespective of the result in their blockbuster face-off, in the second weekend of the championship - February 15. It is, of course, imperative to add a disclaimer here: Pakistan had lost to the USA in the previous edition in 2024.

There are four groups of five teams each, and there may be a case for arguing that there are multiple 'groups of death' in the preliminary stage. England (No 3) and the West Indies (No 6), both former champions, are drawn together with Bangladesh (No 9) - a full member and a formidable side, particularly in subcontinental conditions. The three are grouped alongside Nepal (No 17) and rank outsiders Italy, the 28th-ranked team in the world.

Runners-up South Africa (No 5) are also in a tough cluster. Theoretically, they may have to overcome at least one of New Zealand (No 4) or Afghanistan (No 10) - no easy pushovers in T20 cricket - to advance to the next round, especially given that they can expect an easier time against the UAE (No 16) and Canada (No 18), the other two teams in their group, in the February 7-March 8 championship.

India open their World Cup campaign against the USA, followed by league fixtures against Namibia, Pakistan and the Netherlands. As per a pre-arranged agreement, the big India-Pakistan match will be played in Colombo. As reported by Cricbuzz before, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi and Ahmedabad are the cities that will host matches in India. In Sri Lanka, Kandy will be a venue in addition to the two international grounds in Colombo.

Ahmedabad is slated to host the final, unless, of course, Pakistan make the title clash. Mumbai and Kolkata are in line for the semifinal matches, depending on which teams qualify for the last-four stage. Colombo is shortlisted for one semifinal and the final, should Pakistan advance that far in the championship.

The first two teams from each pool will qualify for the Super Eight, from which the top four sides will progress to the semifinals, followed by the final. The International Cricket Council (ICC) will unveil the draw in Mumbai on November 25.
 
My very early Pakistan squad of 15 men.

1. Farhan
2. Fakhar
3. Babar
4. Hasan
5. Samad

6. Haris / Nafay (wk)

7. Saim
8. Shadab / Maaz
9. Nawaz
10. Faheem

11. Wasim Jr
12. Shaheen (c)
13. Mirza

14. Abrar
15. Muqeem
 
Fast bowlers pecking order Wt20

SSA WasimJr Mirza Nassem Faheem Abass Afridi
Even from them 5/6 will be selected
Surely Rauf does not merits selection
 
Devadwal said:
There are four groups of five teams each, With two sides from each pool qualifying for the Super Eight stage.

India ,Pakistan ,Netherlands ,USA, Nambia = India , Pakistan

SL , Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman = Australia , SL/ Zimbabwe

England, WI, Bangladesh, Nepal and Italy = England and WI

South Africa, NZ , Afghanistan , UAE, Canada = South Africa and Afghanistan/ NZ

:kp
Click to expand...
Dont underestimate the bangla brothers. They got talent in the A team.
 
Italy and Bangladesh are in the same group. Can Italy cause an upset? LOL.

Anyway, looks like 2 groups are very easy and 2 groups are more difficult.

Looking forward to a good tournament.
 
To my surprise, or not, knowing PCB, Abbas has not played one game in the previous 3 tournaments.
 
RidiculousMan said:
My very early Pakistan squad of 15 men.

1. Farhan
2. Fakhar
3. Babar
4. Hasan
5. Samad

6. Haris / Nafay (wk)

7. Saim
8. Shadab / Maaz
9. Nawaz
10. Faheem

11. Wasim Jr
12. Shaheen (c)
13. Mirza

14. Abrar
15. Muqeem
Click to expand...
I don’t think many changes will be made from the squad that was picked for tri series. Team think tank may want to back Usman Khan. Usman Tariq will also be part of the squad.

I really want to see Maaz in the team.
 
gazza619 said:
Dont underestimate the bangla brothers. They got talent in the A team.
Click to expand...
Performance in emerging Asia cup is way different to performing at international level. Pakistan won successive engerimg Asia cup match against india yet winless against india at the international level since 2023.

Same is the case for Bangladesh.

:kp
 
These are the groups.

Pakistan and USA are scheduled to meet again.

I think these teams may go to Super 8:

Group A: Pakistan, India
Group B: Bangladesh, England
Group C: Australia, Sri Lanka
Group D: Afghanistan, South Africa

1763924132317.png
 
RidiculousMan said:
My very early Pakistan squad of 15 men.

1. Farhan
2. Fakhar
3. Babar
4. Hasan
5. Samad

6. Haris / Nafay (wk)

7. Saim
8. Shadab / Maaz
9. Nawaz
10. Faheem

11. Wasim Jr
12. Shaheen (c)
13. Mirza

14. Abrar
15. Muqeem
Click to expand...
Fwo early to predict the team combo. Pakistan is never a team who follow the process but select the team based on current performance.

Pakistan is going to play 3 T20 series against Australia just before the World T20 so that will decide few places in the team.

:kp
 
sweep_shot said:
These are the groups.

Pakistan and USA are scheduled to meet again.

I think these teams may go to Super 8:

Group A: Pakistan, India
Group B: Bangladesh, England
Group C: Australia, Sri Lanka
Group D: Afghanistan, South Africa

View attachment 159606
Click to expand...

BD and Italy are in the same group, @BDfanforever.

I hope BD will not choke against the Italians. LOL.

Jokes aside, I think BD should beat Nepal and Italy. Probably West Indies too. Indian/SL pitches should assist BD bowlers.
 
sweep_shot said:
BD and Italy are in the same group, @BDfanforever.

I hope BD will not choke against the Italians. LOL.

Jokes aside, I think BD should beat Nepal and Italy. Probably West Indies too. Indian/SL pitches should assist BD bowlers.
Click to expand...
BD need to anti up in T20. Otherwise, soon we will start losing against football nation countries like Italy, Brazil, Argentina, USA. We already lost against USA too.
 
So Pakistan, India, Netherlands, Namibia and 🇺🇸 in the same group

I must say, epic trolling by the ICC putting Pakistan and USA in the same group again:wahab2
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
So Pakistan, India, Netherlands, Namibia and 🇺🇸 in the same group

I must say, epic trolling by the ICC putting Pakistan and USA in the same group again:wahab2
Click to expand...
It's a commercial decision probably. Desis only really watch it there and they wanna exploit that market. So why not stick them in with India and Pakistan.

And it shows how much crap and rigging and fake patriotism takes place in cricket if India and Pakistan play in Colombo.
 
DeadlyVenom said:
It's a commercial decision probably. Desis only really watch it there and they wanna exploit that market. So why not stick them in with India and Pakistan.

And it shows how much crap and rigging and fake patriotism takes place in cricket if India and Pakistan play in Colombo.
Click to expand...

In football, they don't put Argentina-Brazil in same group every time. These things are random or follow a process.

In cricket, they blatantly put PAK-IND in same group. Makes a mockery.

Cricket wasn't like this before Indians hijacked it. :inti
 
DeadlyVenom said:
It's a commercial decision probably. Desis only really watch it there and they wanna exploit that market. So why not stick them in with India and Pakistan.

And it shows how much crap and rigging and fake patriotism takes place in cricket if India and Pakistan play in Colombo.
Click to expand...
I'm sure there is a commercialism aspect to it, but it's hard to ignore the trolling side of it
 
DeadlyVenom said:
It's a commercial decision probably. Desis only really watch it there and they wanna exploit that market. So why not stick them in with India and Pakistan.

And it shows how much crap and rigging and fake patriotism takes place in cricket if India and Pakistan play in Colombo.
Click to expand...
2026 world T20 is last tournament where they placed India - Pakistan in the same group :kp
 
sweep_shot said:
Italy and Bangladesh are in the same group. Can Italy cause an upset? LOL.

Anyway, looks like 2 groups are very easy and 2 groups are more difficult.

Looking forward to a good tournament.
Click to expand...
No chance. BD better team in T20s now. I expect BD to qualify from the group. England and BD.
 
I don't think bng will qualify .All the matches will happen at batting grounds where 200 is minimum.bng will struggle against wi powe hitters.
 
sweep_shot said:
OK if you say so. :inti

Venues haven't been decided yet.

Hopefully India will get knocked out too.
Click to expand...
Genius clown.venues are locked already.

( Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai )

Bng will mostly play all their matches at Eden Gardens just like 23 wc .

Cry a river as usual.India will wipe every opponent back in t20 format.
 
Waiting for official words from ICC... no doubts that India and Pakistan will be in same group as always.
 
Rohit Sharma named Men’s T20 World Cup tournament ambassador

India’s former captain Rohit Sharma has been announced as the tournament ambassador for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Rohit Sharma, who captained reigning champions India to glory at the previous Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024, has been named the tournament ambassador for the 2026 edition to be held in India and Sri Lanka.

Rohit was prolific for India in T20Is, finishing with 4231 runs at an average of 32.01 and a strike-rate of 140.89.

He is one of the few players to have been part of two successful Men’s T20 World Cup campaigns, the first of which came in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2007, while the latter came in the latest edition of the tournament in 2024.

Former India captain and two-time T20 World Cup winner Rohit Sharma has been announced as the tournament ambassador for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

In the 2007 campaign, which was also Rohit’s debut in the format, the batter had a sensational run, hitting 88 runs without being dismissed, including crucial knocks in the Super Eights phase versus South Africa (50*) and in the final versus Pakistan (30*).

The 2024 campaign was even more special, where Rohit captained India to the elusive title.

He led by example and was prolific with the bat, being India’s highest run-getter with 257 runs at a strike-rate of 156.70.

His quickfire starts gave the Team in Blue an early advantage at the start of the innings. His standout performances came in the Super Eights against Australia (92 off 41) and the semi-final versus England (57 off 39).

He announced his retirement from the shortest format following India’s triumph at the 2024 T20 World Cup, which broke the 11-year drought of ICC trophies for the senior Men’s side.

Speaking about being named the tournament ambassador, Rohit said, It is great to have the tournament back in India and for me to be associated once again with the tournament, this time in a new capacity as the Brand Ambassador.

"I wish all the players the very best and hope they have a memorable time and enjoy India’s hospitality while taking back a lot of memories."

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be played from 7 February-8 March, 2026.

www.icc-cricket.com

Rohit Sharma named Men’s T20 World Cup tournament ambassador | ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2026 | ICC

India’s former captain Rohit Sharma has been announced as the tournament ambassador for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
www.icc-cricket.com www.icc-cricket.com
 
Last edited:
stani_pak said:
Match might be rained off haha will ICC add an extra day for India vs Pakistan match in case of rain, like ACC did in 2023 Asia Cup.
Click to expand...
Rain in Feb? I don't think so but let's hope no rain otherwise Jay Shah has to open his invisible eyes to allocated a extra day ( Don't think it will be possible unless knockout games). jk

:kp
 
Devadwal said:
Rain in Feb? I don't think so but let's hope no rain otherwise Jay Shah has to open his invisible eyes to allocated a extra day ( Don't think it will be possible unless knockout games). jk

:kp
Click to expand...
You never know, ICC would want that much to go at any cost, I dont think Any India vs Pakistan match has been fully rained off in any ICC events for mens team, I could be wrong, it would be funny if it did get rained off sponsers would be mad hahaha
 
Does icc wants to dash off pak fans hopes like ct25?.I see pak have super 8 match against nz on Feb 21 and eng on feb24.pak can exit before they know.
 
shah9425 said:
Why are you playing with us

To fool people by no handshake again 😂
Click to expand...
Pakistan hosted last ICC tournament yet India - Pakistan placed in same group.

Even In 2023 Asia cup , Pakistan was host and hey asked for a reserved day because they wanted Indian money for survival.

:klopp :kp
 
Looking at the schedule and groups, don't think Bangladesh, USA and Afghanistan will qualify for Super 8 this time.

Top 8 teams should qualify comfortably
 
Nikhil_cric said:
Looking at the schedule and groups, don't think Bangladesh, USA and Afghanistan will qualify for Super 8 this time.

Top 8 teams should qualify comfortably
Click to expand...
As some analyst pointed out afg has 11 am matches against kiwis in chennai and sa in ahmedabad .both have to content with zero dew against afg spin.bcci did more than a favour to afg.last time nz folded against afg in similar style on a turning wicket.
 
Vikram1989 said:
As some analyst pointed out afg has 11 am matches against kiwis in chennai and sa in ahmedabad .both have to content with zero dew against afg spin.bcci did more than a favour to afg.last time nz folded against afg in similar style on a turning wicket.
Click to expand...
Afghans' batting is shambolic and Chennai and Ahmedabad can be better batting wickets than that Guyana wicket.
 
Nikhil_cric said:
Afghans' batting is shambolic and Chennai and Ahmedabad can be better batting wickets than that Guyana wicket.
Click to expand...
Their batting is shambolic but can do steady accumulation. both pitches will allow them for 160 range score to be safe to give them atleast a chance.
 
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