Five must-watch matches at ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

The 10th edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is all set to take place in India and Sri Lanka, with the fixtures for the event released on Tuesday.

Continuing in the same format as 2024, the global mega-event will see 20 international sides battle it out for the T20 World Cup.

We dive into five of the most anticipated clashes in the tournament:

India v Pakistan, February 15, Colombo

February 15 will be a Super Sunday as the arch-rivals meet up in Colombo.

While India have had the better of Pakistan in recent cricket meetings, which included three wins out of three encounters in the Men’s Asia Cup, history shows us that Pakistan can never be written off, as evidenced by their title winning run under Younis Khan at the 2009 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Since their loss to India in the Asia Cup final earlier this year, Pakistan’s white-ball side looks rejuvenated and has gotten the better of South Africa and Sri Lanka in recent home encounters.

This sets up a mouth-watering clash against the Suryakumar Yadav led defending champions, who have not lost a single T20I series since their 2024 triumph.

South Africa v Afghanistan, February 11, Ahmedabad

This game will be a rematch of the 2024 semi-finals, where the Proteas beat Afghanistan to enter their first-ever T20 World Cup final.

But South Africa will underestimate their opponents at their own risk. Afghanistan’s spin attack, led by the iconic Rashid Khan, will be more than handy on Indian pitches, while Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq lend the sting to their pace attack.

Sediqullah Atal’s arrival adds further stability to their top-order, where Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz have already excelled.

On the other hand, South Africa have exciting young additions in the form of Dewald Brevis and Kwena Maphaka, apart from the return of Quinton de Kock to bolster their ranks.

England v West Indies, February 11, Mumbai

The same day features a rematch between the 2016 T20 World Cup finalists, with England facing off against the West Indies.

Both sides underwent changes in leadership earlier in 2025 and will look to secure T20 World Cup glory under their new skippers.

England seem to have stabilised under Harry Brook with recent wins at home and in New Zealand, whereas the West Indies have struggled to get their results right despite playing good cricket.

But irrespective of the format, the old rivals need little motivation when going up against each other.

England will enter intent on asserting their dominance, while the Caribbean side will be chasing a repeat of the Eden Gardens magic that delivered them their second crown almost a decade ago.

Australia v Sri Lanka, February 16, Kandy

Two former champions and heavyweights of the game meet in Kandy as hosts Sri Lanka take on Australia on February 16.

They share a rich rivalry across formats, yet in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Australia have dominated the head-to-head, with four wins out of five to date.

Sri Lanka, however, are in the middle of a transitional phase and will be eager to make a statement. A home T20 World Cup offers the perfect stage to launch a new era.

Pathum Nissanka has been at the forefront of their resurgence and alongside Kusal Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Nuwan Thushara and Maheesh Theekshana, will shoulder the responsibility of taking Sri Lanka to new heights.

The 2021 champions Australia too will be wanting to go deep in the tournament and will be itching to get their hands on the trophy, having missed out on silverware in the last two editions, including at home in 2022.

Italy v Nepal, February 12, Mumbai

T20 World Cup debutants Italy go up against an improving Nepal side, in what promises to be a stellar contest.

The Italians stunned the world when they overcame prominent opponents such as Scotland in the European Qualifier to seal their spot for the T20 World Cup.

An unknown entity to most of the sides at the global mega-event, the Italians can spring a surprise, given the massive talent at their disposal in the form of players who have featured in Australian and English domestic cricket.

But Nepal can prove equal to the task, as they showed during their entertaining run in the Asia Qualifier, where they had a bunch of close wins in an unbeaten display.

Their enthusiastic fanbase will also add flair to the contest.