Traditional rivals India and Pakistan will meet in Colombo after being drawn together in the same group for the T20 World Cup, according to the groups and schedule announced Tuesday by the ICC.
The 20-team tournament is divided into four groups of five. Italy, making its debut in a major ICC event, joins Group C with England, West Indies, Bangladesh and Nepal. Group B features co-host Sri Lanka along with Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman. New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada and the UAE make up Group D.
India will begin its month-long campaign on Feb. 7 in Mumbai against the United States. It will then face Namibia on Feb. 12, Pakistan on Feb. 15, and finish its Group A fixtures against the Netherlands in Ahmedabad on Feb. 18.
The highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash will be held at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium — one of Sri Lanka’s three venues alongside Sinhalese Sports Club (Colombo) and Pallekele in Kandy.
Pakistan, which plays all of its group matches in Colombo, opens on Feb. 7 against the Netherlands, then meets the United States on Feb. 10, India on Feb. 15 and Namibia on Feb. 18.
The format mirrors that of the 2024 World Cup hosted by the U.S. and West Indies. The top two teams from each group move on to the Super Eight stage, split again into two groups. The leading two from each Super Eight group will advance to the semifinals.
Should India progress to the Super Eight, it will play in Ahmedabad, Chennai and Kolkata. A potential semifinal for India would be staged in Mumbai. Colombo or Kolkata has been shortlisted to host the second semifinal if Sri Lanka or Pakistan qualifies.
The tournament final is scheduled for Ahmedabad — unless Pakistan reaches the title match, in which case Colombo will host the final.
India is the defending champion after beating South Africa in the 2024 final in Barbados — the same tournament in which captain Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from T20 cricket. Sharma was named the ambassador for next year’s World Cup on Tuesday. Having won titles both in 2007 and 2024, he is one of the few players to be part of two victorious campaigns.
“I wish all the players the very best and hope they enjoy India’s hospitality while taking home wonderful memories,” Sharma said.
Source: AP