The highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is set to take place on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This Group A encounter, listed as the 27th match of the tournament, promises to be one of the marquee fixtures of the competition, drawing global attention amid the storied rivalry between the two nations.
The co-hosted event (by India and Sri Lanka) has already seen some drama leading up to this game, with initial uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation in the match due to reported boycott considerations. However, following discussions with the International Cricket Council (ICC), Pakistan confirmed they would proceed as scheduled, ensuring the blockbuster contest goes ahead.
Match Details
- Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026
- Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
- Start Time: 7:00 PM local time (Sri Lanka), which is 6:30 PM IST / 1:30 PM GMT / 8:30 AM ET
- Format: T20 International (20-over match), night game
- Group: Both teams are in Group A, alongside the Netherlands, Namibia, and the United States
This is the third group-stage match for both sides. India, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, have shown strong form in the early matches, with key contributions from players like Yadav himself, who has been in excellent touch. Pakistan, captained by Salman Ali Agha, feature a balanced side with experienced stars like Babar Azam and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Predicted Lineups
India (predicted XI): Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson/Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
Pakistan (predicted XI): Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Mirza, Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
Key players to watch include India’s Jasprit Bumrah, expected to exploit any swing or seam in Colombo’s conditions, and Pakistan’s Babar Azam, who will aim to anchor the innings against a potent Indian spin attack featuring Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy.
Conditions and Factors
The R. Premadasa Stadium typically offers a balanced pitch, with assistance for spinners in the middle overs and some help for pacers under lights. However, weather could play a significant role—forecasts indicate cloudy conditions with a low but non-zero chance of rain in the evening (around 13% during match hours, higher earlier in the day). A washout would likely result in a point each under ICC rules for rain-affected group matches, though reserve days are limited in the group stage.
Ticket demand has been exceptionally high, with prices starting from around LKR 1500 for this fixture, reflecting the massive fan interest across the cricketing world.
As the cricketing globe turns its eyes to Colombo, the India-Pakistan rivalry—often described as bigger than the game itself—delivers another chapter in one of sport’s greatest contests. Whether it’s fireworks with the bat, brilliance in the field, or a tense low-scoring thriller, fans can expect high drama on February 15.
Stay tuned for live updates, as the countdown to this epic showdown enters its final hours!