The “Group of 20” has been whittled down to the elite eight. After a group stage defined by historic upsets—most notably the shock elimination of 2021 champions Australia—the stage is set for the Super 8 round of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Running from February 21 to March 1, this phase will decide which four teams advance to the semi-finals in Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Here is everything you need to know about the format, the schedule, and the stakes.
The Super 8 Groups
The eight qualifying teams have been divided into two groups of four. These were determined by a pre-tournament seeding system. Because Zimbabwe knocked out Australia, they have inherited Australia’s pre-seeded spot in Group 1.
| Group 1 | Group 2 |
| India (A1) | Pakistan (A2) |
| South Africa (D1) | Sri Lanka (B1) |
| West Indies (C1) | England (C2) |
| Zimbabwe (B2) | New Zealand (D2) |
2. How the Format Works
- Round Robin: Each team plays the other three teams in their group once.
- Fresh Start: Points and Net Run Rate (NRR) from the initial group stage do not carry over. Every team starts at zero.
- The Path to Semis: The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.
- 2028 Qualification: All teams that reached the Super 8s have automatically qualified for the 2028 T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
3. Full Match Schedule
To minimize travel, Group 1 matches are being held across India, while Group 2 matches are concentrated in Sri Lanka.
| Date (2026) | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
| Feb 21 | New Zealand vs Pakistan | Colombo (RPS) | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 22 | England vs Sri Lanka | Kandy | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 22 | India vs South Africa | Ahmedabad | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 23 | Zimbabwe vs West Indies | Mumbai | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 24 | England vs Pakistan | Kandy | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 25 | New Zealand vs Sri Lanka | Colombo (RPS) | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 26 | West Indies vs South Africa | Ahmedabad | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 26 | India vs Zimbabwe | Chennai | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 27 | England vs New Zealand | Colombo (RPS) | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 28 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Kandy | 7:00 PM |
| Mar 1 | Zimbabwe vs South Africa | Delhi | 3:00 PM |
| Mar 1 | India vs West Indies | Kolkata | 7:00 PM |
4. Key Storylines to Watch
- The 2024 Rematch: The Feb 22 clash between India and South Africa is a repeat of the 2024 final. India enters the Super 8s unbeaten, while the Proteas are looking for redemption on Indian soil.
- Home Advantage: Sri Lanka will play all their Super 8 matches in front of home crowds in Colombo and Kandy. Historically strong at home, they are considered favorites to top Group 2.
- The Great Rivalry: India and Pakistan are in separate groups. This means the only way fans will see an Ind-Pak clash is if both teams advance to the semi-finals or the final.
- The Zimbabwe Fairytale: Having stunned the world by eliminating Australia, Zimbabwe now faces the heavyweights. Can they pull off another “giant-killing” act to reach their first-ever semi-final?
Road to the Final
The tournament moves quickly once the Super 8s conclude:
- Semi-Final 1: March 4 (Kolkata)
- Semi-Final 2: March 5 (Mumbai)
- The Final: March 8 (Ahmedabad)
The Hybrid Model: Why Pakistan stays in Sri Lanka
Unlike most World Cups, this tournament is operating under a Hybrid Model. While India and Sri Lanka are co-hosts, the political deadlock between the two nations means:
- Neutral Territory: Due to long-standing diplomatic tensions, Pakistan is playing all of its matches (Group stage and Super 8s) in Sri Lanka.
- India’s Travels: India traveled to Colombo for their high-stakes group-stage clash against Pakistan, but will play their Super 8 matches exclusively on home soil.
- The “What If” Semi-Final: If Pakistan reaches the knockouts, the venues for the Semi-Finals and Final may shift. Currently, if Pakistan qualifies for Semi-Final 1, the match will move from Kolkata to Colombo.
You can find all complex scenarios of where the semifinals and final will be played based on the teams qualifying here in this guide: The Hybrid Model of T20 World Cup Knock-Out Round Venues Explained.