The teams for 2026 T20 World cup have been announced, match timetables have been decided, and venues have been arranged. Cricket fans are eagerly waiting for the first match which is scheduled to play on 7 Feb. But there’s one thing you should know, and that’s about the knockout stage matches. Though the venues of group stages are 100% accurate, but the venues of knockout stage matches are not 100% accurate and it is due to Pakistan team.
As per the reports, all matches of Pakistan have been scheduled to play in Sri Lanka. So if Pakistan qualifies for Semi-Final and Final, then in that case the respective match will be played in Sri Lanka (not in India).
There is a solid sentiments in India we don’t want Pakistan Cricket team in India and that’s why as the host country… The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) decided and requested the ICC (International Cricket Council) that all of Pakistan’s matches be scheduled in Sri Lanka.
This means…
- If Pakistan qualifies for Semi-Final & Final, then these matches of T20 World cup 2026 will be played in Colombo (R. Premadasa).
- If India qualifies and Pakistan too, then again the matches will held in Colombo (R. Premadasa).
- If Pakistan doesn’t qualify, then Semi-final and Final will held in Kolkata (Eden Gardens) & Ahmedabad (Narendra Modi Stadium)
This venue process is similar to what we saw in the T20I 2025 Asia Cup, where all of India’s matches were played in the UAE instead of Pakistan.
So the Pakistan team will stay in Sri Lanka for this tournament and play their matches there. Indian team have to go Sri Lanka for group stage match and play with Pakistan on 15 February. However, recent reports shared by ESPN Cricinfo and BBC confirm that Pakistan decide to boycott this match. Even Pakistan government on X shared “the Pakistan cricket team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15 February 2026 against India”
Well the final story of IND vs Pak T20 (WC 2026) will be confirmed on February 15, so stay tuned with us and don’t forget to share the exclusive stories with others on social media!
