ICC have made some last-minute changes to the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final schedule.
Sri Lanka could play their T20 World Cup semi-final at home
Sri Lanka could play their semi-final fixture at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, if they make it that far, as per an ESPNCricinfo report. However, the change would only come in affect if they are not playing India in the last four and Pakistan fail to reach the semi-final.
As per the original schedule of the World Cup, only Pakistan were scheduled to play their semi-final encounter in Colombo on March 4, marked as semi-final 1, with semi-final 2 scheduled to be played in Mumbai on March 5. If Pakistan failed to reach the last four, semi-final 1 was supposed to be played in Kolkata. India, meanwhile, would play semi-final in Mumbai, if they make it that far.
If India and Pakistan are drawn together in the semi-finals, the match will be held in Colombo as semi-final 1, while the other two semi-finalists will face off in Mumbai. If Pakistan are eliminated from the Super Eights, semi-final 1 was supposed to be played in Kolkata and semi-final 2 (the India match) in Mumbai.
However, as per the latest update, Sri Lanka, too, would get the chance to play their semi-final in Colombo, provided they are not facing India, and Pakistan are knocked out from the Super Eights. However, if Pakistan and Sri Lanka both qualify for different semi-final, the former will play in semi-final 1 in Colombo, while the latter will travel to Mumbai for SF2, as per the report.
If all three of Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka fail to reach the semi-finals, Group 1 toppers will face the second-placed side in Group 2 in Kolkata, while Group 2 toppers will play Group 1 runners-up in Mumbai. All of these scenarios, however, look unlikely as of now, as both India and Sri Lanka have begun their Super Eights campaign with heavy defeats.
There has been no clarity on whether a similar arrangement would be made if Sri Lanka make the final and India don’t. As per the original playing conditions, the final, scheduled for March 8, will only be moved out from Ahmedabad to Colombo if Pakistan make it.
Also Read: T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eights points table: Updated team rankings
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