Two-time International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup champions West Indies will fancy their chances of advancing to the Super Eight stage of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, after being given a favorable draw in a group, which includes Bangladesh and fellow two-time champions England, alongside minnows Nepal and Italy.
Organizers revealed the groups and fixtures for the Feb. 7 to March 8 showpiece tournament on Nov. 25.
The Windies start the competition on Feb. 7 against Bangladesh at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, before facing the English in their second match at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Feb. 11. Their final two group matches are against Nepal on Feb. 15 and Italy on Feb. 19.
Group A comprises the defending champions, India, Pakistan, the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia, while Group B includes Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Oman.
Group D has been labelled the ‘group of death’, with New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada and the United Arab Emirates drawn together.
Twenty teams will compete in the tournament, playing a total of 40 group matches. The top two teams in each group will advance to the Super Eights phase, which starts on Feb. 21.
The top four sides at the end of the Super Eights qualify for the knockout stage. The semi-finals will be held in Kolkata, Colombo and Mumbai. The title decider will take place on March 8 in either Ahmedabad or Colombo.
ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta and chairman Jay Shah are promising a cricketing spectacle which will stun the world.
“We have seen six different champions in less than two decades of the tournament’s history, which demonstrates the competitive nature of the competition,” Gupta said, via an ICC release.
“With 20 teams from five continents vying for the title in cricket’s most unpredictable format, and the tournament returning after a decade to its biggest market, this promises to be a feast for cricket fans around the world.”
