ICC T20 World Cup warm-up schedule announced, India and India A to play from February 2
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches were announced late because the ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board could not agree on some points. After many discussions, the ICC confirmed that 15 warm-up matches will be played before the tournament starts on February 9.
Bangladesh decided not to play matches in India. Because of this decision, the ICC removed Bangladesh from the warm-up games and added Scotland instead. Scotland got this chance because they were the highest-ranked team that had not qualified earlier. Since Scotland did not get much time to prepare and needed to adjust to Indian conditions, warm-up matches were important for them. Scotland will play two practice matches at the BCCI Centre of Excellence against Afghanistan and Namibia.
India are already playing a five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which is good preparation for the World Cup. Even so, India will play one warm-up match. They will play against South Africa on February 4 at the DY Patil Stadium. This match will be just three days before India’s first match against the USA.
The India A team will also help other teams with practice matches. India A will play against the USA on February 2 and Namibia on February 6. Sri Lanka A will play a warm-up match against Oman. Pakistan and New Zealand will also play one warm-up match each.
Teams like England, Australia, and Sri Lanka will not play any warm-up matches. These teams are busy with important series before the World Cup. England will play three T20I matches in Sri Lanka. Australia will tour Pakistan for a three-match T20I series starting on January 29.
ICC T20 World Cup warm-up schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2 | Afghanistan vs Scotland | Bengaluru | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 2 | India A vs USA | Navi Mumbai | 5:00 PM |
| Feb 2 | Canada vs Italy | Chennai | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 3 | Sri Lanka A vs Oman | Colombo | 1:00 PM |
| Feb 3 | Netherlands vs Zimbabwe | Colombo | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 3 | Nepal vs UAE | Chennai | 5:00 PM |
| Feb 4 | Namibia vs Scotland | Bengaluru | 1:00 PM |
| Feb 4 | Afghanistan vs West Indies | Bengaluru | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 4 | Ireland vs Pakistan | Colombo | 5:00 PM |
| Feb 4 | India vs South Africa | Navi Mumbai | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 5 | Oman vs Zimbabwe | Colombo | 1:00 PM |
| Feb 5 | Canada vs Nepal | Chennai | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 5 | New Zealand vs USA | Navi Mumbai | 5:00 PM |
| Feb 6 | Italy vs UAE | Chennai | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 6 | India A vs Namibia | Bengaluru | 5:00 PM |
