Australia to face Sri Lanka in T20 World Cup group
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Australia will begin their quest to win the Twenty20 World Cup with a match against Ireland in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on February 11 next year.
Mitch Marsh’s side were drawn in Group B on Tuesday, alongside co-hosts Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman.
Their other 2026 T20 World Cup group matches are against Zimbabwe, in Colombo, on February 13, Sri Lanka, in Kandy, three days later, and Oman, also in Kandy, on February 20.
Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will clash in a politically-charged match in Colombo on February 15.
The 20-team tournament will be played across eight venues – five in India and three in Sri Lanka – between February 7 and March 8, the ICC said.
Pakistan will play all their games in Sri Lanka because of their soured political relations with India.
The March 8 final is scheduled for the western Indian city of Ahmedabad but would be moved to Colombo if Pakistan reach it.
The teams have been divided into five groups of four with the top two in each advancing to the Super Eight phase. The top four in that will qualify for the semi-finals.
Australia, champions in 2021, missed out on a semi-final place in 2024 when they finished third in their Super Eight group behind India and Afghanistan.
England and West Indies, both twice winners, will face first-timers Italy and Asian sides Bangladesh and Nepal in Group C.
New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada and United Arab Emirates make up Group D.
2026 T20 World Cup draw
Group A: India, Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, Namibia
Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Oman
Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, Italy
Group D: New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE
Reuters
