T20 World Cup 2026: Sri Lanka could host semi-final if Pakistan miss out

Sri Lanka could play their 2026 T20 World Cup semi-final at home if they qualify for the knockout stage, depending on their opponent and the other teams that advance. If Sri Lanka are drawn to face any team other than India, and if Pakistan do not qualify for the semi-finals, the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo will host the match.

This appears to be a change from the ICC’s original schedule announcement and the tournament’s playing conditions. Both host nations have faced setbacks in the Super Eight stage, with India losing to South Africa and Sri Lanka suffering defeat against England in their respective clashes.

“Semi-final 1 is a floating arrangement with the match to be held in either Colombo or Kolkata. If Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals, they will play in semi-final 1 in Colombo on 4 March. If Pakistan do not qualify for the semi-finals, but Sri Lanka do qualify and play anyone other than India, then Sri Lanka will play in semi-final 1 in Colombo,” the statement read as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

The ICC has also reiterated that if neither Pakistan nor Sri Lanka qualify for the semi-finals, Semi-final 1 will be held in Kolkata and Semi-final 2 in Mumbai. If India reach the semi-finals, they will play in Mumbai regardless of their opponent. However, if India are drawn against Pakistan, the match will be played in Colombo.

In the event that none of India, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka qualify for the semi-finals, the team finishing first in Group 1 of the Super Eights will face the second-placed team from Group 2 in Kolkata. Meanwhile, the winner of Group 2 will take on the runners-up from Group 1 in Mumbai. Since Sri Lanka and Pakistan are both placed in Group 2, there is no possibility of a Sri Lanka-Pakistan semi-final.

This development represents a change, or at least a clarification, to the schedule announced in November. The earlier announcement had made provisions for Pakistan to play their semi-final and final in Sri Lanka but did not specify what would happen if Sri Lanka themselves advanced to the knockout stage.

“If Pakistan qualifies for the semi-finals, Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium will replace Kolkata as the host of Semi-Final 1. Should Pakistan reach the final, that venue will also shift from Ahmedabad to Colombo. If India and Pakistan meet in the semi-finals, that match will be staged in Colombo, while Mumbai will host Semi-Final 2 involving India if they face any team other than Pakistan,” the release stated.

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