Italy's cricket history is going to have a remarkable turning point in 2026 when they will in no way miss the ICC Men's T20 World Cup for the first time and among the team of that expedition will be Wayne Madsen, an experienced athlete of multiple sports, whose professional life has taken him to several countries and into the very core of European cricket.

Wayne was not only born in South Africa but he is also a right-handed batsman and an occasional right-arm off-spinner that has now become the leg of Italy after qualifying through his genealogy. He has got to his notable height of 5 ft 9 in, he fills up the Azzurri setup with lots of experience, professionalism, and leadership. Madsen, with Italian nationality through descent, made his debut for Italy in 2023 and now is going to lead the team at T20 World Cup their first-ever T20 World Cup.

A Multi-Sport Veteran in Top Form Takes Charge of Italy’s T20 World Cup Campaign

Madsen was a professional field hockey player before and amongst cricketers, he was South Africa's representative at the Hockey World Cup in 2006. His move to the United Kingdom in 2008 not only boosted his cricket career but also changed his life completely as he joined Derbyshire and soon was recognized as one of the most dependable and respected top-order batters in the English county circuit. He later captained Derbyshire and led them to Championship promotion while also receiving several domestic awards.

Madsen is going to the T20 World Cup 2026 with great form: he made 431 runs in the latest T20 Blast at a strike rate of 138, and 198 in his last first-class innings. He will take over the captaincy from Joe Burns and he will be Italy's most experienced and influential personality on the world stage.

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Teams Wayne Madsen Has Played For

• Derbyshire
• Italy
• Peshawar Zalmi 
• Multan Sultans
• Team Abu Dhabi
• London Spirit
• Manchester Originals
• Joburg Super Kings
• Rangpur Riders
• KwaZulu-Natal

Wayne Madsen – Career Stats (All Formats)

Madsen's leadership, adaptability and consistency will be the key factors for Italy in their first T20 World Cup. His extensive experience through different formats, leagues and conditions turns him into the perfect person to lead a fast-developing Italian team at their biggest stage so far.

The complete schedule for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has finally been revealed officially on Tuesday (November 25) evening in Mumbai. During that event, the Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav revealed the ideal opponent for Team India in the Final of the forthcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: India are co-hosts and defending champions

India and Sri Lanka will jointly host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 tournament between February 7 and March 8, 2026. A total of 20 teams will participate in the upcoming T20 World Cup, where India will also participate in the tournament as the defending champions, as the Men in Blues won their second T20 World Cup title in the 2024 edition under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. 

Without any doubt, India are one of the favourites for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, as the Men in Blues can be the first hosts to win the title as well as the first defending champions too. India are in Group A in the upcoming T20 World Cup along with Pakistan, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the USA. 

While the top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 8 stage, which will have two different groups with four teams each, the top two teams from each group of the Super 8 stage will qualify for the Semi-finals. As usual, the Semi-finals winners will face off in the Final for the last battle to lift the trophy. 

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026: India’s full schedule revealed

Suryakumar Yadav revealed India's ideal opponent for Final of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026

India, West Indies, and England are the teams with two ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophies. When the Indian T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav was asked about the ideal opponent to face in the Final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, SKY quickly answered that they want to beat Australia in the Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where the Men in Blues’ dream was dashed during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Final against the same opponents. 

The ICC has officially announced the full schedule for the  ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, and Pakistan’s complete fixture list is now out. The tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026, but due to political reasons, Pakistan will play all their matches in Sri Lanka. This includes the highly anticipated blockbuster against India on February 15 in Colombo.

Pakistan are placed in Group A, alongside India, USA, Netherlands, and Namibia. They will begin their campaign on the very first day of the tournament, facing the Netherlands in Colombo. With every match scheduled in Sri Lanka, across the SSC Ground, R. Premadasa Stadium, and Pallekele. Pakistan will enjoy consistent playing conditions throughout the group stage.

The top two teams from Group A will qualify for the Super Eight stage, starting on February 21. Pakistan’s progress from there will determine their further fixtures in the knockout rounds. If Pakistan reach the final, the ICC has confirmed that the final will be held in Colombo instead of Ahmedabad.

See Also: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026: India’s full schedule revealed

Pakistan’s Full Schedule for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

The ICC has released the complete schedule for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, and defending champions India now know their full path in the group stage. India will begin their title defense on February 7, 2026, when they face the USA in Mumbai, marking the opening day of the tournament. This will be the first time India and Sri Lanka co-host a T20 World Cup, with matches taking place across eight venues in the two countries.

India are placed in Group A alongside USA, Namibia, Netherlands, and Pakistan. The biggest highlight of India’s schedule is the high-voltage clash against Pakistan on February 15 in Colombo. Due to political reasons, Pakistan will play all their matches in Sri Lanka, including the game against India. India’s remaining group matches will be played across Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad.

A total of 40 group-stage matches will take place between February 7 and 20, after which the top two teams from each group move to the Super Eight stage starting on February 21. If India qualifies further, they will progress to the semi-finals in Kolkata/Colombo or Mumbai, followed by the final on March 8 in Ahmedabad (or Colombo if Pakistan reaches the final).

See Also: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 full schedule released: Complete list of matches, dates, venues, and timings

India’s Full Schedule for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 runners-up New Zealand are ready to prove themselves in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which India and Sri Lanka will jointly host the tournament between February 7 and March 8, 2026. 

While New Zealand played three consecutive Semi-finals between 2016 and 2022, including winning the 2021 edition where they finished as the runners-up, they first time were eliminated from the first round group stage for the Men’s T20 World Cup history in the last edition (2024). The Blackcaps are surely desperate to prove themselves in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 by producing their challenging performances on the field. 

New Zealand's group for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026

Group D: Afghanistan, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, UAE

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: New Zealand's complete Group Stage schedule  

February 8: New Zealand vs Afghanistan (Chennai, 11:00 AM)

February 10: New Zealand vs UAE (Chennai, 03:00 PM)

February 14: New Zealand vs South Africa (Ahmedabad, 07:00 PM)

February 17: New Zealand vs Canada (Chennai, 11:00 AM)

One-time champions and three-time finalists Sri Lanka will co-host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 along with India. It will be the second time Sri Lanka will host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, while they previously hosted it in 2012, where they reached the Final but lost it against the West Indies. Sri Lanka is the only host to reach the Final of the Men’s T20 World Cup history.  

Sri Lanka won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy in the 2014 edition in Bangladesh after beating India by six wickets. They will host the tournament for the second time in the 2026 edition, along with India, as the tournament will run between February 7 and March 8, 2026. 

While Sri Lanka were eliminated from the group stage in the last edition (2024), they haven’t qualified for the Semi-finals since their 2014 T20 World Cup title success. Surely, they are desperate to change their recent status in the Men's T20 World Cup, especially when they are set to participate in the tournament as the co-hosts. 

Sri Lanka's group for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026

Group B: Sri Lanka, Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman. 

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: Sri Lanka's complete Group Stage schedule  

February 8: Sri Lanka vs Ireland (Colombo, 07:00 PM)

February 12: Sri Lanka vs Oman (Kandy, 11:00 AM)

February 16: Sri Lanka vs Australia (Kandy, 07:00 PM)

February 19: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe (Colombo, 03:00 PM)

The ICC has officially released the schedule for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The tournament will be held across the two countries for the very first time. India competes in this year's competition as defending champions after defeating South Africa in the 2024 final. The format of the event will be similar to the last one, with the first round of the group stage taking place among 20 teams, leading into the Super Eight round and then the knockout stage.

Matches will be played across five Indian cities Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai, and two Sri Lankan cities, Colombo and Kandy. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the final unless Pakistan qualifies, in which case the final will be played in Colombo. Due to political reasons, Pakistan will play all their matches, including the India vs Pakistan clash on February 15, in Sri Lanka. India is set to start their campaign on February 7 against the USA in Mumbai. Sri Lanka will also host Pakistan’s group fixtures at Pallekele and Colombo.

A total of 20 teams have secured their spots for the 2026 edition. Besides hosts India and Sri Lanka, teams qualify via the 2024 World Cup, T20I rankings, and regional tournaments. These range from strong teams like Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan to emerging teams like Nepal, Italy, Oman, UAE, and Canada. The format remains competitive and pretty balanced, with all teams getting a fair chance through the group stage and Super Eight rounds.

Total, 40 group-stage matches will be played from February 7 to 20, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the Super Eights, starting on February 21. The best four teams then qualify for the semi-finals, to be held in either Kolkata or Colombo, and in Mumbai. The grand final will take place on March 8 in Ahmedabad, or in Colombo if Pakistan qualifies.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026: Groups

• Group A: India, USA, Namibia, Netherlands, Pakistan
• Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman
• Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy, Nepal
• Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE

See Also: Rohit Sharma official brand ambassador of ICC World Cup 2026

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026: Timings and Venues

All matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be played across eight venues, five in India and three in Sri Lanka.
Match timings are set in three standard slots:

• 11:00 AM (Day Match)
• 3:00 PM (Afternoon Match)
• 7:00 PM (Night Match)

Host Venues

These venues will host all group-stage matches, Super Eight fixtures, semi-finals, and the final—depending on which team qualifies.

In India

• Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
• Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi

In Sri Lanka

• R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
• Sinhalese Sports Club Ground (SSC), Colombo
• Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy

T20 World Cup 2026: Complete list of matches, dates, venues, and timings

Super 8 Stage Fixtures

Knockout Stage Fixtures

The excitement for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has soared as the group stage lineup is officially confirmed. Co-hosts India and Sri Lanka find themselves in contrasting scenarios, with India receiving a comparatively straightforward group while Sri Lanka are placed in a much tougher challenge early on.

This edition will feature 20 teams, divided into four groups of five, with the top two sides from each group progressing to the Super Eight stage.

T20 World Cup 2026 Groups

India, currently one of the strongest T20I units in world cricket, headline Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan. Associate sides Namibia, Netherlands and the USA have shown rapid improvement in recent tournaments, but India and Pakistan will still back themselves to advance. Their blockbuster meeting is expected to be one of the most-watched games of the tournament.

Sri Lanka, co-hosts and former champions, must battle through a challenging Group B. Australia enter as favourites, while Ireland and Zimbabwe have the reputation of creating major upsets on the world stage. Oman’s steady rise adds even more unpredictability.

Groups C and D carry their own elements of suspense. England and West Indies, both World Cup-winning teams, share Group C with Bangladesh, making it competitive from top to bottom. Group D appears equally fierce with South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan all capable of deep runs in the tournament, while UAE and Canada hope to challenge whenever opportunities arise.

With matches scheduled across major venues in India and Sri Lanka, and the final set for Ahmedabad, unless Pakistan qualify, prompting a shift to Colombo, the stage is set for a thrilling cricket festival. The journey to global T20 glory begins soon, and every group promises battles worth watching.

The countdown has begun for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with excitement peaking around yet another India–Pakistan showdown. According to RevSportz, India are set to open their campaign against the USA, while the marquee game against Pakistan is likely scheduled for February 15 in Colombo.

The tournament is expected to run from February 7 to March 8, bringing a fresh format and renewed rivalry energy. Even in recent years where the contests have been largely one-sided, any Indo-Pak match transcends cricket, fuelled by history, fan passion, and geopolitics.

Below is a look at India’s tentative key fixtures:

*If India qualify

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Home support, fierce rivalries and global expansion define upcoming T20 spectacle

Mumbai has been earmarked to host one of the semi-finals on March 5, providing Indian fans a dream knockout setting if the hosts make the last four. The grand finale, meanwhile, is planned at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the largest cricket venue in the world, where the atmosphere will be electric should India reach the title clash.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have been given venue-based advantages as well. If either team qualifies for the semi-finals, they will play in Colombo. This ensures home support and aligns with the long-standing understanding between India and Pakistan to play each other only at neutral venues in ICC and ACC events during the current rights period.

Major ICC tournaments continually push global cricket into new markets, and USA’s presence in India’s opening match signals the game’s rapid expansion. With powerhouse squads, high expectations, and home-soil pressure, India will be keen to end their T20 World Cup drought.

The fixtures are expected to be officially confirmed in the coming months, but one thing is certain, the cricketing world already has February 15 circled in red. The biggest rivalry in sports is set to enthrall once again.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed a joint hosting arrangement between India and Sri Lanka for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, set to take place from February 7 to March 8, 2026. The tournament will feature 20 teams, following the same format as the 2024 edition, with matches divided between both host nations.

India’s Venues Finalised

According to early plans, five major Indian cities have been shortlisted to host matches:

• Ahmedabad
• Delhi
• Kolkata
• Chennai
• Mumbai

The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the world’s largest cricket venue, is expected to host the final on March 8, provided Pakistan do not qualify for it.

Pakistan to Play Entirely in Sri Lanka

In a significant development, all of Pakistan’s matches will be played in Sri Lanka, in accordance with a mutual understanding between the BCCI and PCB to play at neutral venues during ICC events hosted by the other nation.

The Sri Lankan venues shortlisted for Pakistan’s matches include:

• Colombo
• Kandy
• third venue yet to be finalised

Should Pakistan advance to the final, the title clash will also be shifted to Colombo, instead of Ahmedabad, as per the ICC’s arrangement.

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Tournament Format & Qualified Teams

The 2026 edition will follow a 20-team structure with:

• 4 groups of 5 teams each
• Top 2 from each group qualifying for the Super 8s
• Followed by semi-finals and the final

Qualified Teams:

• Hosts: India, Sri Lanka
• Top 7 from 2024 T20 World Cup: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, USA, West Indies
• Ranking-based qualifiers: New Zealand, Pakistan, Ireland

Regional qualifiers:

• Americas: Canada
• Europe: Italy (first-time participants), Netherlands
  • Africa: Namibia, Zimbabwe
  • Asia-EAP: Nepal, Oman, UAE

Defending Champions

India will enter the 2026 T20 World Cup as defending champions, having defeated South Africa in the 2024 final in Barbados. The ICC is expected to release the official schedule next week, following final venue inspections and discussions with both cricket boards.