The India-Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup 2026 is set to be one of the most electrifying sporting events of the year. Carrying the weight of history, rivalry, and unmatched fan passion. Whenever these two teams meet, the contest exceeds cricket. It becomes an emotional spectacle watched by millions across the globe. With both sides evolving through new talent, tactical fresh thinking, and modern cricketing demands, the 2026 encounter promises to be more gripping than ever.
Defending champions India have been drawn alongside eternal rivals Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2026. ICC announced the schedule for the 20-team tournament on Tuesday in Mumbai. Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Delhi are set to host the games in the tournament, with Pakistan set to play their matches in Colombo. The IND vs PAK match will be played on February 15 in Colombo.
India have been handed an easy group in the tournament. The Men in Blue will face Pakistan, with USA, Netherlands and Namibia. The defending champions will face USA in Mumbai on February 7 to kick off the tournament, with Namibia in Delhi on February 12, followed by Pakistan, and their final group game is against the Netherlands in Ahmedabad on February 18.
The T20 World Cup will kick off on February 7 with three matches a day during the group stages. Wankhede Stadium will host the semi-final should India qualify with Kolkata nailed as the second venue. Should Pakistan reach the semis, the match will be moved to Colombo. Narendra Modi Stadium will host the final on March 8. If Pakistan make the qualify, Colombo will host the tournament decider.
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule
February 7 (11:00 AM): Pakistan vs Netherlands (Colombo)
February 7 (3:00 PM): West Indies vs Bangladesh (Kolkata)
February 7 (7:00 PM): India vs USA (Mumbai)
February 8 (11:00 AM): New Zealand vs Afghanistan (Chennai)
February 8 (3:00 PM): England vs Nepal (Mumbai)
February 8 (7:00 PM): Sri Lanka vs Ireland (Colombo)
February 9 (11:00 AM): Bangladesh vs Italy (Kolkata)
February 9 (3:00 PM): Zimbabwe vs Oman (Colombo)
February 9 (7:00 PM): South Africa vs Canada (Ahmedabad)
February 10 (11:00 AM): Netherlands vs Namibia (Delhi)
February 10 (3:00 PM): New Zealand vs UAE (Chennai)
February 10 (7:00 PM): Pakistan vs USA (Colombo)
February 11 (11:00 AM): South Africa vs Afghanistan (Ahmedabad)
February 11 (3:00 PM): Australia vs Ireland (Colombo)
February 11 (7:00 PM): England vs West Indies (Mumbai)
February 12 (11:00 AM): Sri Lanka vs Oman (Kandy)
February 12 (3:00 PM): Nepal vs Italy (Mumbai)
February 12 (7:00 PM): India vs Namibia (Delhi)
February 13 (11:00 AM): Australia vs Zimbabwe (Colombo)
February 13 (3:00 PM): Canada vs UAE (Delhi)
February 13 (7:00 PM): USA vs Netherlands (Chennai)
February 14 (11:00 AM): Ireland vs Oman (Colombo)
February 14 (3:00 PM): England vs Bangladesh (Kolkata)
February 14 (7:00 PM): New Zealand vs South Africa (Ahmedabad)
February 15 (11:00 AM): West Indies vs Nepal (Mumbai)
February 15 (3:00 PM): USA vs Namibia (Chennai)
February 15 (7:00 PM): India vs Pakistan (Colombo)
February 16 (11:00 AM): Afghanistan vs UAE (Delhi)
February 16 (3:00 PM): England vs Italy (Kolkata)
February 16 (7:00 PM): Australia vs Sri Lanka (Kandy)
February 17 (11:00 AM): New Zealand vs Canada (Chennai)
February 17 (3:00 PM): Ireland vs Zimbabwe (Kandy)
February 17 (7:00 PM): Bangladesh vs Nepal (Mumbai)
February 18 (11:00 AM): South Africa vs UAE (Delhi)
February 18 (3:00 PM): Pakistan vs Namibia (Colombo)
February 18 (7:00 PM): India vs Netherlands (Ahmedabad)
February 19 (11:00 AM): West Indies vs Italy (Kolkata)
February 19 (3:00 PM): Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe (Colombo)
February 19 (7:00 PM): Afghanistan vs Canada (Chennai)
February 20 (7:00 PM): Australia vs Oman (Kandy)
For India, the 2026 edition will be an opportunity to showcase a balanced mix of experienced players and a rising generation groomed through the IPL ecosystem. Over the years, India has focused on aggressive top-order batting, enhanced power-hitting depth, and strategic spin combinations suitable for diverse global conditions. As the team transitions post the Kohli-Rohit era, a new leadership core will define India’s direction. The India–Pakistan match will be a pressure test for this new brigade, examining how they handle one of the sport’s most intense atmospheres.
In competitive terms, India holds a dominant record over Pakistan in T20 World Cups. Yet history has shown that form and past statistics matter little in this rivalry whether it was the 2007 bowl-out thriller, the 2021 Dubai shocker, or the unforgettable final-over drama of 2022. The T20 format thrives on unpredictability, making every India–Pakistan encounter a battlefield of nerves, momentum shifts, and individual brilliance. Fans anticipate edge-of-the-seat moments, whether through a furious opening burst from fast bowlers or dazzling stroke-play under pressure.