Countdown to T20 World Cup: India and Sri Lanka Co-Host 10th Edition Amid Regional Tensions

India and Sri Lanka are hosting the 10th edition of the ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup starting Saturday until March 8.

The 10th edition of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup is set to take place from Saturday until March 8, against the backdrop of diplomatic deadlock and rising tensions between South Asian neighbors.

The 30-day tournament will feature 55 matches across eight venues, five in India and three in Sri Lanka.

The T20 format is a shorter and faster version of cricket compared to One Day Internationals (ODIs). It involves teams having 20 overs per innings, and the match lasts about three to four hours. This format prioritizes power hitting and aggression, and the momentum of the game can shift in just a few balls.

Here is everything you need to know about the tournament:

• Where are the matches being held?

The tournament will kick off on Saturday with a match between Pakistan and the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The final is scheduled for March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India.

Pakistan, who won the tournament in 2009, has requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to play all their World Cup matches in Sri Lanka instead of India, citing security concerns. This arrangement aligns with previous ICC decisions that allowed India to play matches hosted by Pakistan at a neutral venue.

Other hosting cities include New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata in India, as well as Kandy in Sri Lanka.

Which teams have qualified?

Twenty teams will participate in the tournament:

1. Afghanistan

2. Australia – 2021 Champion

3. Canada

4. England – 2010 and 2022 Champion

5. India – 2007 and 2024 Champion

6. Ireland

7. Italy – Making Debut

8. Namibia

9. Nepal

10. Netherlands

11. New Zealand

12. Oman

13. Pakistan – 2009 Champion

14. Scotland

15. South Africa

16. Sri Lanka – 2014 Champion

17. United Arab Emirates (UAE)

18. United States of America

19. West Indies – 2012 and 2016 Champion

20. Zimbabwe

Notably absent from this list is Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Cricket Board had requested to move its matches due to government security concerns while playing in India, which was rejected, leading to their exclusion from the tournament, with Scotland invited in their place by the ICC.

This will be the first time Bangladesh misses the Men's T20 World Cup.

In protest, the Pakistani government has stated it will not take the field for its scheduled Group 'A' match against India on February 15.

This decision comes amid escalating tensions after Pakistan's Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, accused India of involvement in the recent attack in Balochistan last week. According to officials, at least 31 civilians, 17 security personnel, and 145 militants were killed in that attack.

• Who are the previous winners?

India won the inaugural title in 2007, defeating Pakistan in South Africa.

Pakistan won the title in 2009. England followed in 2010, and then the West Indies became the first multi-time winner of the tournament, winning in 2012 and 2016.

Sri Lanka won in 2014, while Australia claimed theirs in 2021. England won their second title in 2022. India then secured victory in 2024, joining the West Indies and England as the most successful teams in the tournament's history with two titles each.

No team has managed to win the trophy consecutively.

• Match Schedule

The 20 teams have been divided into four groups, and each team will compete against the other teams in their group, totaling 40 matches.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 8 stage, where they will be divided into two groups of four teams each. The top two from each group will enter the semi-finals, with the final match taking place on March 8.

• What is the prize money?

The ICC has not yet announced the prize money for the 2026 tournament, but in 2024, the ICC allocated a total prize pool of $11.25 million, with the winner receiving $2.45 million. This was the highest prize money in the tournament's history.