By Asif Naveed
ISLAMABAD (MNN); Preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 have reached their final phase, with full-member nations confirming their pre-tournament match schedules ahead of the event, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
This edition will be historic as the first to feature 20 teams competing for the global title. With less than two months remaining, participating teams are stepping up their preparations.
According to Cricinfo, full-member teams have finalised the number of T20 Internationals they will play before the World Cup, and no additional bilateral series are expected.
Pakistan will play six T20Is ahead of the tournament, starting with three matches in Sri Lanka in January, followed by three home games against Australia. Australia will only participate in the three-match series against Pakistan, while England is scheduled for a three-match T20 series in Sri Lanka in January.
Several teams, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ireland, and Zimbabwe, will enter the World Cup without any preparatory T20 matches.
India will be the busiest side, playing 10 T20Is between December and January, including five home matches against New Zealand. South Africa has eight T20Is lined up at home and in India, while the West Indies will tour South Africa for a three-match series.
Host nation Sri Lanka will play six home T20Is, and New Zealand has five pre-tournament matches scheduled. Australia, England, and the West Indies each have three T20Is planned before the World Cup.
With all full-member nations confirming their fixtures, the cricketing world now eagerly awaits the start of the landmark 20-team ICC T20 World Cup 2026, set to be one of the biggest editions in the history of the tournament.
