The International Cricket Council has released details on the T20 World Cup 2026 squads as teams prepare for the tournament in India and Sri Lanka starting 7 February.
The T20 World Cup 2026 squads have been announced by participating nations ahead of the event co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March. The 20-team competition features defending champions India alongside rivals like Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Squad selections reflect strategic changes to tackle the fast-paced format.
Cricket enthusiasts in South Asia anticipate intense matches given the region’s dominance in the sport. The tournament will boost local economies through tourism and highlight emerging talents from Afghanistan and Nepal.
T20 World Cup 2026 Teams and Groups
The T20 World Cup 2026 teams include Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, England, India, Ireland, Italy, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, United States, West Indies and Zimbabwe.
Teams are divided into four groups for the initial stage.
- Group A consists of India, Pakistan, United States, Netherlands and Namibia.
- Group B has Sri Lanka, Australia, Ireland, Oman and Zimbabwe.
- Group C includes England, West Indies, Nepal, Scotland and Italy.
- Group D features South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada and United Arab Emirates.
Qualification wrapped up last year with Scotland securing a spot over Bangladesh in a surprise outcome. The format involves group matches followed by Super 8s and knockouts.
Key South Asian T20 World Cup 2026 Squads
South Asian nations form the backbone of the T20 World Cup 2026 squads with experienced line-ups.
India named their 15-player squad on 20 December 2025. Suryakumar Yadav captains the side. The squad includes Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson as wicketkeeper, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel as vice-captain, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar and Ishan Kishan as second wicketkeeper. Notable inclusions are young all-rounders like Abhishek Sharma while veterans like Rohit Sharma retired from the format post-2024 victory.
Pakistan announced their T20 World Cup 2026 squad on 25 January 2026. Salman Ali Agha leads the team. The squad comprises Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay as wicketkeeper, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan as wicketkeeper, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan as wicketkeeper and Usman Tariq. Key returns include Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi after form dips. Salman Ali Agha stated the team aims for glory in the competition.
Sri Lanka released a preliminary 24-player squad on 19 December 2025 with Dasun Shanaka as captain. The list includes Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Traveen Mathew. The final 15 will be trimmed before the event. Shanaka’s leadership marks a shift from previous captains.
Afghanistan’s squad was confirmed with Rashid Khan as captain. It features Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Sediqullah Atal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Naveen Ul Haq, Mohammad Ishaq, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Darwish Rasooli and Ibrahim Zadran. Reserves are AM Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai and Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi. Mohammad Nabi provides veteran stability.
Nepal’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad is led by Rohit Paudel. Players include Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Sundeep Jora, Aarif Sheikh, Basir Ahamad, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Gulshan Jha, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sher Malla and Lokesh Bam. Lamichhane’s spin will be crucial on subcontinent pitches.
Other T20 World Cup 2026 squads show injury impacts. Australia misses a key pacer while New Zealand and South Africa ruled out players. All squads were finalised by 22 January 2026 per ICC guidelines.
T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule Overview
The T20 World Cup 2026 schedule kicks off on 7 February with three matches: Pakistan versus Netherlands in Colombo at 00:30 GMT, West Indies against Scotland in Kolkata at 04:30 GMT and India facing United States in Mumbai at 08:30 GMT.
Venues span India and Sri Lanka including Colombo, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Delhi and Kandy.
Group stage runs until 20 February. Super 8s start 21 February across Colombo, Kandy, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Semi-finals are on 4 March and 5 March with the final on 8 March at a venue to be confirmed.
India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 Clash
The highlight of the T20 World Cup 2026 schedule is India vs Pakistan on 15 February at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo starting 08:30 GMT. This Group A encounter draws massive viewership in South Asia. Pakistan plays all group matches in Sri Lanka while India hosts most at home. The rivalry adds pressure to both T20 World Cup 2026 squads.
Other notable fixtures include Sri Lanka versus Australia on 16 February in Kandy and Afghanistan against New Zealand on 8 February in Chennai.
Background
The path to T20 World Cup 2026 teams involved qualifiers across regions. Asia/East Asia-Pacific saw Nepal advance. Africa had Namibia and Zimbabwe qualify. Europe featured Scotland, Ireland and Netherlands. Americas had Canada and United States. Automatic qualifiers included top-ranked sides and hosts India and Sri Lanka.
The 2024 edition saw India triumph over South Africa in the final. This victory influenced selections in current T20 World Cup 2026 squads with continuity in key roles.
What’s Next
Opening games set the tone for T20 World Cup 2026 teams. Warm-up matches precede the tournament. Injury monitoring remains key with reserves on standby. Broadcast deals ensure wide coverage in South Asia.
The T20 World Cup 2026 squads position favourites like India and Pakistan for a thrilling contest.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, January 26th, 2026
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